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“You shall not give that poor horse another blow.” 

(Page 113) 





FORGE AND FURNACE 

OR 

The Young Master of the Iron Mills 


' ...BY.., 

VICTOR ST. CLAIR 

Author of 

Break O' Day Roughing it on Range and 

RaiV(ih," Etc., Etc* 


ILLUSTRATED 


AKRON, OHIO 

THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO. 

NEW YORK 1903 CHICAGO 


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THE library of 
CONliRESS, 

T wo Copies Received 

SEP 28 1903 

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MADE BY 

THE WERNER COMPANY 
AKRON, OHIO 


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4 ' ■ ^ . 

CONTENTS 


Chapter page 

I. The Boy and the Young Sculptor 7 

II. “It Never Rains, but It Pours.” 18 

III. Manly Cannot Find His Father 28 

IV. A Telegram 35 

V. Another Telegpram, but More Startling than the 

First 46 

VI. The Situation at Greenwich 55 

VII. The Shutdown 64 

VIII, “Like His Father” 74 

IX. Sheriff Whitcomb’s Triumph 83 

X. Mr. Whitcomb Makes an Offer 91 

XI. The Message from Greenwich 99 

XII, For the Sake of a Horse 109 

XIII. A Bold Request 115 

XIV. Mr. Steele's Reply 123 

XV. A Crisis in Affairs 131 

XVI. Manly Finds Himself with Millionaires . . . 141 

XVII. Strangle Disappearance of Manly’s Father . . 149 

XVIII. The Pursuit in the Dark 157 

XIX. “Better Late than Never” 165 

(iii) 


iv CONTENTS 

Chapter page 

XX. Settling Up 173 

XXI. The Hawk Shows Its Claws 181 

XXII. Whitcomb Has an Inning 189 

XXIII. “A Chip of the Old Block” 197 

XXIV. Manly’s Independence — Curly Finds Himself 

in a Hard Place 204 

XXV. Curly’s Masterpiece 213 

XXVI. A Note for Five Thousand Dollars . . . . 221 

XXVII. The Last Straw 228 

XXVIII. Manly Visits Rollin Steele 238 

XXIX. Manly Sees Leonard Grasp 246 

XXX. “You Have Conquered!” 253 

XXXI. “ Excitement Enough for a Dozen Auctions!” 263 

XXXII. Clearing Up 269 

XXXIII. In Which the Means Are in Harmony with the 

Ends 275 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

“You shall not give that poor horse another blow” 

Frontispiece 

A third person sprang from the shadows of the next 

furnace and caught the end of the bar .... 70 

Manly reached the fallen tree just as his father stepped 

upon its slippery trunk 140 v/ 

With a low cry of terror Crush Curlew retreated . . 210 


(V) 


X 


J 


CHAPTER I. 


THE BOY AND THE YOUNG SCULPTOK. 

“Don’t! Yon musn’t do that! Oh, Joe 
Bleak! how you do— stop! stop!’’ 

The speaker was a pale-faced, slender boy of 
sixteen, clad in a ragged shirt and trousers, the 
latter garment reaching but a little below his 
knees, while the sleeves of the former had been 
cut off at the elbows, a thick coating of grime 
and coal dust making up in its way for whatever 
of clothing he may seemed to have lacked. 
While there was evidence about him showing 
he belonged to the very poorest of the working 
class, the contour of his pinched features, al- 
most girlish in their outlines, the clear light of 
his brown eyes and the expression of his lips 


8 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


told that he had a mind above the dreary rou- 
tine of his daily tasks. 

His environments were wild and weird in the 
extreme. Over his head hung the soot-black- 
ened, tent-like roofs of Orcroft’s iron mills, cov- 
ering an acre or more of ground, if layers of 
iron siftings, cinders, rocks and refuse metals 
can be called by that name. Behind him, on 
his right, and in the distance to his left and 
front, the fiery mouths of the iron furnaces 
glowered upon the night scene like so many 
monsters chained in their dens. 

To make the scene more startling to him un- 
used to such sights, fire leaped from pits in 
apiral columns and red-hot blades of every con- 
ceivable shape, from the filtering sands in liquid 
metal flames, from the wide-mouthed caldrons 
of boiling ore in all colors and tints, while here 
and there, looking in their scanty garbs and 
liberal coatings of black dust, grease and 
grime, like so many beings from another world, 
flitted to and fro under the shifting lights the 
men who tended these works. These workmen 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


9 


were rough, and unlettered, generally faithful 
in the discharge of their narrow round of duty, 
but with no ambition above the low wages they 
obtained. 

Though the youthful speaker had uttered his 
remonstrance in a voice pitched at a high key, 
the incessant clangor of heavy hammers and 
the deep grinding of the ponderous machinery 
in the distance, with the hissing of angry flames, 
deep roaring of the fires in the pits and the un- 
earthly, guttural noise of the molten metal bub- 
bling and crackling in the huge caldrons near- 
by, drowned his words before they could reach 
the ears of his fellow workmen, excepting the 
stout, beetle-browed man who stood in front of 
him. 

“Bah! whut bizness hev ye to fritter yer 
time in putterin’ with sich as thet?” pointing 
at the same time to a most unexpected object 
for that place. 

This was nothing less than a graven image 
carved from a block of the waste ore which 
comes after the pig metal is run. The figure 


10 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


was that of a youth a couple of years older 
than him whom this unappreciative workman 
was threatening, and with a larger frame and 
features possessing a firmness and indication 
of command his lacked. The refuse ore from 
which it had been cut was of a porous nature, 
inclined to he waxy and of such a very delicate 
pink shade that the statue presented a mar- 
velous resemblance to a human being in the 
flesh tints. A critic might have condemned cer- 
tain of the lines as harsh and out of harmony, 
but it was, on the whole, a piece of carving an 
older and more experienced artist could have 
claimed with pride. 

“Why don’t yer speak out?” demanded the 
man, advancing a step. “Yer don’t say yer 
didn’t do yit?” 

“No, Joe,” faltered the trembling boy, “but 
I did it out of work hours— every bit.” 

“I know better, an’ who’s a bigger right to 
say yit, seein’ I’m boss o’ these furnaces? 
’Taint th’ fust time ye hev been up to sich waste 
o’ time or I’d let yer erlone. Es ’tis I’m goin’ 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


11 


to bust th’ thing, an’ I’ll crack yer head if yer 
dare to yip. ’ ’ 

The boy sculptor knew the other was in tem- 
porary charge of the furnaces, and he knew 
also that he was one to carry out his threat at 
any consequences, but the image was very dear 
to him, so, placing himself in front of it, he ex- 
claimed : 

“Please don’t touch it, Joe. Don’t you see 
it’s the master’s boy, the little boss who—” 

“I don’t keer ef it’s th’ boy o’ the king. I’ll 
crack its head! But I’ll crack yours first, ef 
yer don’t stand erway.” 

Bleak had raised a long, heavy iron rod that 
he carried to stir the fires when necessary, and 
a deadly expression came into his bleared eyes. 

“I’ll I’arn ye how to putter erway yer mas- 
ter’s time,” gritted Bleak, his grasp closing 
more firmly upon the iron rod. 

Realizing his danger, the boy uttered a low 
cry; at the same moment a third person sprang 
from the shadows of the next furnace and 
caught the end of the bar opposite to that in 


12 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the hands of Bleak with a hold that defied the 
strength of the would-be assailant. 

Finding himself thus unexpectedly thwarted, 
Bleak turned around as quickly as his clumsy 
gait would allow, an angry snarl leaving his 
grimy lips. 

He found himself face to face with a youth 
of eighteen, whom it did not require a second 
glance to show was the original of the graven 
image which had caused the trouble. He was 
a manly-looking youth, tall and stoutly built for 
his age, with regular, clearly cut features and 
black eyes, which met the iron puddler’s gaze 
without any trace of fear. He was dressed bet- 
ter than the others, though he bore a coating of 
ash and cinders that told he had been at work 
as well as they. 

“Te’ master’s b’y!” muttered Bleak. Then 
he exclaimed in a louder voice : 

“Whut air ye doin’ hyur, youngster?” 

“I might with better reason ask that of you, 
Joe, judging by your actions. Don’t harm that 
boy.” 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


13 


The words were spoken in a calm tone, and, 
though not in as high a key as the others had 
used, more plainly heard. 

“How long has yit been sence ye hev been 
runnin’ th’ mills?” demanded Bleak, doggedly, 
‘ ‘ I reckon I ’m boss till Willey comes back, which 
’tain’t likely ’ll be ter night.” 

“Boss or no boss, you have no right to harm 
that boy, and mind you, sir, that you do not.” 

The yellow flames from the furnace showed 
Bleak’s features in the contortions of rage, but 
somehow he suppressed the fierce words that he 
wanted to utter, exclaiming in a tone that 
scarcely reached his companions: 

“Mebbe ye hev er right to walk over me 
rough shod, but I reckon there’ll be a countin’ 
fer yit. I ain’t been erwaychin’ this b’y fer 
nothin’,” raising his voice, “an’ he’s puttered 
erway all th’ time he’s goin’ to on sich traps,” 
pointing to the image. “Ye may be sorry fer 
yer imp’dence w’en I’ve tol’ Grasp.” 

Not caring to have any argument with the 
iron puddler. Manly allowed him to leave the 


14 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


place without answering his remark. He had 
seen the graven image fo*k the first time, and 
he stood for what seemed a long while to the 
young sculptor looking at it without speaking. 

“Did you do that?” he finally asked, turn- 
ing to his trembling companion. 

“Yes, sir,” faltered the boy, mistaking the 
look upon his countenance for that of displeas- 
ure. “I hope I haven’t done anything very 
wrong. I hev seen ye menny times when ye 
didn’t know it, an’ I — ” 

“It isn’t that,” broke in the older youth, 
‘ ‘ though I little expected to find myself so hon- 
ored. I must say the work is well done, though 
you have fiattered me very much.” 

Perhaps the other did not understand fully 
what had been said, or it may have been from 
the effect of the first kind words he had ever 
heard addressed to him that the young sculptor 
did not offer to reply. 

“How did you make that?” 

“Chipped it out of korl, sir, with my knife,” 
displaying an old, broken-bladed affair which 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


15 


did not look as though it would cut anything. 
“I hope ye ain’t mad with me. I meant no 
’fense, hones ’. ’ ’ 

“Offense? Why should I he angry with you? 
Is this your first work of the kind?’’ 

“Oh, no, sir,’’ his countenance brightening. 
“I hev chipped out lots and lots, but I hev never 
kept ’em as long as I hev this, ’cos th ’ boss don ’t 
like to hev me. But I do it all out of work 
hours. I took a piece to the house once, but 
dad walloped me so fer doin’ it I didn’t darst 
try thet ag’in. It’s jess good times for me to 
make ’em.’’ 

“What is your name?” 

“Curly, sir.” 

“A singular name. I think you are Crush 
Curlew’s hoy? At least I have seen you go 
there.” 

“Yes, sir. I don’t s’pec’ Curl’s my real 
name. They give me it on ’count my hair ; it ’s 
curly you see.” 

Manly Sterling had noticed that he possessed 
the finest head of silken brown hair, hanging 


16 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


in waving masses about his shoulders, that he 
had ever seen. But he was not thinking so 
much of that then as he was of the miserable 
abode in which this boy lived with his uncouth 
parents. He knew Crush Curlew as one of the 
very lowest of the hands working in the mills, 
a tall, stoop-shouldered man, whose sole ambi- 
tion in carrying him through the week’s hard 
work was the anticipated debauch at its close. 
He had been told that Mrs. Curlew, who worked 
in the little factory just above the iron mills, 
was little, if any, better than he. But this boy, 
claiming them as his parents, was evidently a 
genius. 

‘ ‘ I judge I need not tell you who I am. ’ ’ 

“Ye air Manly Sterlin’, the master’s boy, 
thet everybody likes. I wish— ” 

The appearance of a messenger for his com- 
panion caused Curly to stop in the midst of his 
speech. 

When Manly had spoken to the newcomer 
briefly, he said to the boy sculptor : 

“I want you to keep that statue for me. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


17 


please. I will be after it before I go home, and 
will pay you for it. ’ ’ 

As if unable to comprehend the kindly notice 
which had been thus unexpectedly bestowed 
upon him, Curly watched the departure of his 
new-found friend in silence, until he was sud- 
denly brought back to a realization of his sit- 
uation by the resounding thwack on the side of 
his head, which sent him headlong upon a pile 
of coal-ash and cinders. 

“Stand there er-gorpin’, will yer?” mut- 
tered Bleak. “I’ll I’arn ye Willey ain’t boss 
here ternight.” 


CHAPTEE 11. 


‘'it never rains, but it pours. 

The furnace tended by him whom we must 
know as Curly, for the want of a better name, 
was near the bounds of one side of the works, 
so Manly Sterling was obliged to pass nearly 
the width of the grounds before his guide 
stopped. 

“There’s Ferguson,” said the latter, simply. 

They were now in the main workshop, and 
the young ironworker knew there had been 
some difficulty in performing an important 
piece of work. Seeing the man called FergU’ 
son, he beckoned to him, asking: 

“Where’s Clinch!” 

“Out this afternoon, with a broken back or 
some sich complaint.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


19 


“Does Mr. Grasp know of this?” 

“Grasp knows nothing. He hasn’t been near 
to-night. This bar of iron is bothering us like 
— well, no matter what, so long as we can’t fix 
it ’cording to what it should be.” 

He pointed' as he spoke to a long bar, or 
rather two bars, of iron, hung just above the 
forge in temporary slings. The fire in the forge 
had been allowed to die down somewhat, though 
it was brilliant enough to cast its sharp sword 
flashes across the murky walls and cut into 
vivid, fantastic shapes the black clouds that 
lowered from the low roof. It was sufficiently 
light about the forge to carry on the work, and 
for the young ironworker to make a hasty ex- 
amination of the task undertaken by the men. 

“You missed in your flux, Mr. Ferguson, and 
you did not draw out the centers as you should. 
Start up the forge fires, Jackman; lend your 
hands here, boys, and we will soon bring these 
bars together so they can’t find the seam. 
Raise that end sling a bit, Moulton ; there, that 


20 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


will do. Now be ready at the word to lift them 
into position.” 

While the boy was giving off his orders 
the forgeman had sprung to his work with 
alacrity, so that the flames were crackling 
and leaping merrily from the low, wide arch, 
soon beginning to show their effect upon the 
ends of the long shafts of iron that had been 
placed so as to receive the most heat possible. 

Unmindful of the blades of flames shooting 
about his head, or the darting tongues of Are 
that leaped spitefully out first one way and then 
another, the young ironworker kept a close 
watch over the bars, noticing with the practical 
eye of one who understood that just such a 
pitch of temperature must be reached, and no 
other, until at last he cried : 

“Catch hold there, Ferguson, Morgan, Fritz; 
lower— back— forward — down— stand aside!” 
and as the ponderous bars fell into position On 
the huge anvil with a resounding force, he 
seized one of the heavy hammers near at hand 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


21 


to begin to smite the parts with all the power 
he could command. 

In a moment a perfect cloud of fiery stars 
flew about his head, falling in showers upon the 
onlookers or soaring aloft into the dark recesses 
over their heads, until the whole building 
looked like an amphitheater of falling meteors. 

All the time the sounding blows of the boy 
rang out on the scene, while his clear voice was 
heard even above them, as he gave out his orders 
to the workmen, until, his task done, he stepped 
hack to wipe the perspiration from his heated 
brow with the back of his hand. 

“I never see such a feller as you are,” Fer- 
guson, even with the thought of his failure in 
his mind, could not help saying. “You have 
welded that like the—” 

The hlunt ironworker was inclined to he pro- 
fane in his speech, but for once he was saved 
the utterance of the improper word by the 
sound of another voice breaking in suddenly 
above his and the din of the noisy scene, and 
which commanded: 


22 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“Come out here, young man! We want to 
see you on important business. ’ ’ 

Manly Sterling understood that the request 
was directed to him, and giving a hasty direc- 
tion to the men in regard to polishing off the 
welded bar of iron, he went out of the mills to 
meet the unknown spokesman. 

He was surprised to find that a drizzling rain 
had set in since sunset, and coming out of the 
dazzling glare of the furnace fires it was some 
moments before he could distinguish the forms 
of two men seated in the midst of the rubber 
blankets of a top carriage. 

“Good evening, sirs,” he said. 

“We want to see Messrs. Sterling & Grasp,” 
said one of the men. “This,” indicating his 
companion, “is Mr. Luther Corning, and I am 
Sheriff Whitcomb.” 

“Mr. Grasp is in the office, I suppose, Mr. 
Whitcomb, as it is his time to be here at the 
mills. Father has gone home.” 

“We will see this Grasp first, then. Will you 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


23 


hitch your horse and come in with me, Corn- 
ing!” 

“If there is a good chance to fasten the ani- 
mal so he can’t get away. He’s a bit afraid of 
all this noise and confusion. I should think it 
would drive a man crazy to work in such a 
place. ’ ’ 

Leaving the speaker to fasten his horse as he 
wished, Manly escorted the sheriff into the of- 
fice of the Orecroft iron mills, which was scarce- 
ly less dingy in appearance than the works 
themselves. The little ten by twelve room pre- 
sented an uncommonly topsy-turvy appear- 
ance at this time, the big account books having 
been tossed in a heap upon the floor along- with 
a miscellaneous collection of articles which had 
accumulated about the place. Mr. Grasp was 
certainly not in, as the office was deserted. 

“He’s about the mill somewhere,” said Man- 
ly, who saw nothing singular in the absence of 
the junior member of the firm. “If you will 
kindly wait I will find him. ’ ’ 

“Think I will go with you,” declared the 


24 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


sheriff, acting and speaking in a manner the 
hoy ironworker could not understand. “Here, 
Corning, I will leave you in charge of this 
place,” continued the officer as he started after 
Manly. 

Passing swiftly from one section of the mills 
to another, with Sheriff Whitcomb close upon 
his heels, listening intently to every reply which 
was made to his inquiries. Manly failed to 
get any trace of the missing Mr. Grasp. No 
one had seen him since four o ’clock in the after- 
noon, and it was then past eight. 

“Well, young man,” said the Sheriff at last, 
“it is evidently no use for us to fool away any 
more time looking for Mr. Grasp, when your 
father will do just as well, in fact, better.” 

“What is your business, Mr. Whitcomb?” 
asked Manly. “It is possible I can do as well 
as he. I suppose he has gone to bed before this 
time, as he has to get into the mills at two o’clock 
in the morning now, and I do not like to dis- 
turb him. ’ ’ 

“It is very important we should see him. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


25 


young man. Mr. Corning holds a note against 
the firm for a thousand dollars and interest, and 
the note is several days overdue. They have not 
minded his notices, and now he is naturally anx- 
ious to know what they are going to do about 
settling. Especially is this the situation, as ugly 
reports have been circulated this afternoon con- 
cerning their financial affairs.” 

“I was not aware, sir, there was anything 
wrong. If they have had any money of Mr. 
Corning, which I did not know, they will look 
after the matter to-morrow. ’ ’ 

“Tut— tut! that isn’t business at all. We are 
here for a settlement to-nighf or—” 

“I am looking for Mr. Henry Sterling!” ex- 
claimed the voice of a newcomer suddenly break- 
ing upon the little group. ‘ ‘ Hilloa, Whitcomb ! ’ ’ 
recognizing the sheriff. “I was down to your 
place, but could not find you. They said you 
were up this way somewhere. How do you find 
things here ! ’ ’ 

“We have been looking for Mr. Grasp with- 
out finding him,” said Manly, beginning to feel 


26 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


there was something wrong about it all. “I ex- 
pect father is at the house, and I am quite sure 
Mr. Grasp will come in a few minutes. I do 
not understand where he is, as the mills are left 
in his charge at this time.” 

“I am in a hurry and can not wait,” said the 
last comer. “I have been sent up here by Earn- 
ing, Dewing & Dunn, who hold notes against the 
firm amounting to over two. thousand dollars, 
and this was the last day of grace. They don’t 
want to make any trouble if it can be helped, 
but the matter must he fixed up immediately. ’ ’ 

The sheriff and his client exchanged signifi- 
cant glances, but before any reply could be made 
a third arrival appeared on the scene, whom all 
quickly recognized as the cashier of the leading 
bank in Orecroft. 

“Is Mr. Sterling in'?” he asked. 

“No, sir, but I think he is at his house,” re- 
plied Manly. 

“I wish to notify the firm that their note 
drawn in favor of Cutter, Welch & Co. for eight 
hundred dollars had been protested. I wish also. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


27 


to ask them to come to the bank at nine o’clock 
to-morrow and fix np their accounts with us. 
They have overdrawn this day one thousand 
five hundred dollars. I saw Grasp at two 
0 ’clock and he promised to look after it, but he 
has not been near. I do not understand what 
they mean by such actions, as they have always 
been square and prompt in their dealings.” 

The rumbling of the machinery and the dull 
roar of the fires in the distant furnaces broke 
the silence, while the men looked one upon an- 
other, and Manly Sterling, with an undefined 
dread tugging at his heart, looked silently upon 
them all. 


CHAPTER III. 


MANLY CAN NOT FIND HIS FATHER. 

“Whew!” exclaimed Sheriff Whitcomb when 
the silence had grown embarrassing, “affairs 
take on a serious shape.” 

‘ ‘ Mercy me I ’ ’ cried Mr. Corning, who was a 
very nervous person, “shall I lose my money? 
It will ruin me if I do. A thousand dollars of 
hard-earned money gone at one fell swoop! Oh, 
the dishonesty of men! I had thought Henry 
Sterling the perfection of honesty.” 

“None of you will lose a dollar by father,” 
spoke up Manly, recovering his self-possession. 
“I do not understand all this, hut no doubt 
father will make it plain. If you will kindly 
wait here I will ask him to come at once, ’ ’ start- 
ing to leave the office as he finished speaking. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


29 


“I think I will go with you,” declared the of- 
ficer for the second time since the search had 
begun, seeming determined that the young iron- 
worker should not get out of his sight. 

The rain was still falling with a steady drizzle, 
the variegated lights from the forge and furnace 
fires making it look like a feathery veil of many 
hues, transparent with long trails of gold, 
bronze and silver, or touched with the deeper 
tints of red, violet and pink, while above these 
the furnaces sent sword fiames high into the Cim- 
merian space, the glittering blades quivering till 
some new outburst should send a cloud of starry 
sparks against the shifting scene, which softened 
by the vieing colors appeared not unlike a Milky 
Way. 

But these sights were lost to Manly Sterling at 
this time. He did not even notice that it was 
raining, as he hastened along the cinder-covered 
road leading past his home. 

Sheriff Whitcomb did not offer to speak, re- 
alizing perhaps something of his companion’s 
feelings and respecting them. 


30 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


A short distance below the mills the road led 
over a wooden bridge spanning the stream whose 
yellow-stained waters afforded the power to car- 
ry the ponderous machinery, and a few hundred 
rods beyond this place they came to a plain two- 
storied house, which stood slightly removed 
from the narrow street. Though there was noth- 
ing pretentious about the dwelling, it was far 
better than those around it. 

A light shone at a couple of the windows, 
while through the thin shade of one could be dis- 
tinguished the outlines of a woman’s figure. 

This Manly knew was his mother, and, not 
wishing to alarm her by the presence of a stran- 
ger, he quickened his steps, so as to call her to 
the door before the sheriff should come into 
sight. She answered his summons promptly, 
showing she had been expecting some one. 

“Father is wanted over to the mills, mother.” 

“Is that you. Manly? Why didn’t you come 
in? Your father is not in the house. He has not 
been home to his supper yet, and it is getting 
cold. I was getting worried about him, and was 


FOEGE AND FUENACE. 


31 


wishing I had some one to send after him. Now, 
you do not know where he is!” 

‘ ‘ He must he in his private workshop. I did 
not think of looking there, as I felt sure he had 
come home. Oh, well, do not worry. As soon as 
he has attended to a little business matter, I will ' 
see that he comes home. ’ ’ 

“I wish you would, Manly, for, do you know, 

I have felt a strange fear all day, just as if 
something dreadful was going to happen. I 
haven’t wanted to say so, but your father hasn’t 
seemed like himself of late. I do wish he would 
think less of that invention of his. ’ ’ 

“Have no fears, mother, I shall he home with 
him in a few minutes. He has overworked, that 
it all.” 

Notwithstanding his apparent cheerfulness. 
Manly felt thankful that his mother had not 
seen the sheriff, who had considerately kept in 
the background, though listening to every word 
which had been spoken. 

As Manly led the way back toward the mill, 
he said to the officer : 


32 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“It is strange I had not thought of looking 
for father in his workshop, hut as he has been 
in the habit of going directly home lately, as 
soon as his hours at the mills were over, I sup- 
posed he had done so to-night. ’ ’ 

“I understand,” said the sheriff, slowly. 
“Your mother said he has been acting rather 
peculiarly for a time. If I am not mistaken, 
business has been going hard.” 

“What mother said is due to her imagina- 
tion, and she is slightly nervous. Business has 
never been so good since I can remember, Mr. 
AYhitcomb. ’ ’ 

“It doesn’t fook that way according to the 
amount of money they have been borrowing. ’ ’ 

“I don’t understand that, sir; but I have no 
doubt father will be able to give a satisfactory 
explanation. ’ ’ 

“I hope so sincerely. Henry Sterling has al- 
ways had the name of being a strictly honest 
man. I shouldn’t be fooling rovmd as I am now 
if I hadn’t felt some regard for him. By the 
way, he may have been putting money into that 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


33 


invention of liis. Such fascinations have proved 
the, ruin of as good men as he. Come to think 
of it, that was what Grasp said.” 

“I do not know anything about what Mr. 
Grasp said, Mr. Whitcomb. We will soon have 
father’s story, which will make it all plain. 
Come down this way, sir. Father has what he 
calls his ‘private workshop’ at the lower end. 
It is strange I do not see a light. ’ ’ 

They had now passed behind the dark walls 
of the east end of the mills, where the glare of 
the furnaces did not penetrate, so they were 
obliged to advance more slowly. 

Manly’s anxiety increased as he approached 
the door, and he began to feel that it was not 
going to prove as he had hoped. 

“Father!” he shouted, giving the door a vig- 
orous shaking, but his repeated cries failed to 
obtain any response. 

“He isn’t there, Mr. Whitcomb. I do not un- 
derstand where he can be.” 

‘ ‘ Haven ’t you any key to the door 1 ’ ’ 

“No, sir. Father would never intrust a key 


34 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


even to me. It was in there he experimented on 
his new process of welding.” 

“I should think he sadly lacked confidence in 
people. It won’t take hut a moment to break 
in the door. Something may have happened to 
him in there alone.” 

“I think he is somewhere else. If you will 
please wait here one minute I will look in one 
more place for him.” 

Without waiting for the impatient sheriff to 
reply, Manly darted around the corner of the 
building into the darkness beyond. Then, not 
one minute, but five minutes, did the perplexed 
officer wait, when, in a fit of desperation he 
picked up a heavy bar of iron at his feet and 
was in the act of breaking the door as a man 
came rushing that way in a most excited man- 
ner. 

Seeing the sheriff he stopped, exclaiming: 

‘ ‘ Oh, sir, the master ’s hoy has been killed ! ’ ’ 

“Do you mean young Sterling?” demanded 
Sheriff Whitcomb sharply. 

“Yes, sir. His dead body lays just below. I 
see it and started for the office. ’ ’ 


CHAPTER IV. 


A TELEGRAM. 

The man was very much excited, and he 
shook in every part as he made his startling 
a n nouncement to the sheriff, who was at a loss 
to understand him at first. 

“Come this, way,” requested the workman. 
VHe lays right near the path, winding around 
the end of the lower mill. I see his face as plain 
as I see yours. ’ ’ 

Mr. Whitcomb followed in silence, wondering 
what strange turn affairs would take next, and 
he was in the midst of his bewildering reflec- 
tions when his guide stopped, saying: 

“There ’tis, mister,” pointing to the shadowy 
outlines of a human figure lying by the pathside. 


36 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


The head lay in a bar of light sent out from the 
furnaces, but the body was not so plainly seen. 

At the same moment the man spoke a boyish 
figure sprang from the ground beside the prone 
form, and putting forth his hands in supplica- 
tion the youth implored: 

“Oh, sirs! please spare him.” 

Sheriff Whitcomb was too much surprised 
by the situation to reply at once, and while he 
hesitated some one came rushing to the spot, ex- 
claiming : 

“Did you get tired of waiting for me, Mr. 
Whitcomb? I could not find him. I do not un- 
derstand—” 

The speaker, who was none other than Manly 
Sterling, stopped in the midst of his speech at 
sight of the boy and the still figure upon the 
ground. 

“Why, Curly, what has happened, you look 
so frightened? And what have you got that 
image out here for?” 

“It was Bleak, sir! He struck me so hard 
I fell down and lay a long time. And when I 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


37 


come round he had carried it out here. He 
swears it shan’t stay in the mills, and he says 
he will kill me if I cut another.” 

It was now plain that the excited workman 
had seen the figure of the young ironworker en- 
graved out of the korl by Curly, and mistaken 
it in the semi-darkness for that of the original. 
Sheriff Whitcomb could understand as much as 
that. 

“Well, never mind Bleak, Curly. I will speak 
to father about him to-morrow, and I know he 
will see that you are not troubled any more by 
him. Callow,” addressing the workman, “get 
help if you need, but bring that figure round 
into the office. It is mine. Mr. Whitcomb, we 
can do no better than to go back to the office. 
Perhaps father has come there before this time. 
If he has not, all we can do is to wait for him. ’ ’ 

The sheriff made no reply, but as they came 
in front of the private workshop of Mr. Ster- 
ling he said: 

“It might be well for us to force an entrance 
here. Something— ’ ’ 


38 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


‘‘Father would not like to have us break in 
that door—” 

“That is very good reason why I should 
force an entrance. Though you will not ac- 
knowledge it, I tell you there is something wrong 
about all this. ’\^Tiy, your own actions show it.” 

While speaking the officer picked up the bar 
of iron he had had in his hands before, and, with 
all the power he could muster, he began to deal 
the door terrific blows. Following up this fusil- 
lade, he soon had the satisfaction of sending the 
stout structure from its hinges with a loud 
crash. 

“I have some matches,” he said, “and it 
won’t take us long to find out whether he is here 
or not.” 

Then, by the aid of one after another of the 
little, flickering lights they hastily looked over 
the secret workshop of the missing man, not a 
trace of whom was to be found. The place was 
littered here and there with such tools and mis- 
cellaneous pieces of iron and wood as might be 
expected in such an apartment. There was an 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


39 


anvil on one side and a forge just beyond, but 
the fire was out in the latter, while nowhere was 
there any indication that the room had been re- 
cently occupied. 

“He’s not here, that’s certain,” admitted the 
sheriff, finally, as if reluctant to give up the 
search. “Well, it don’t really matter after all. 
I have only to go ahead, as I ought to have done 
in the first place, and attach the mills to secure 
Mr. Corning. ’ ’ 

“Perhaps one of them has returned to the 
office by this time,” said Manly, hoping for the 
best, as they went back to the place. 

But neither Mr. Grasp nor his father had ap- 
peared at the office, the sheriff showing no sur- 
prise. 

“I did not look for them here,” he said. “I 
begin to understand that this course was all 
mapped out and their flight intended before- 
hand. But I shall secure my clients by attach- 
ing everything here, and shall remain here the 
balance of the night, when to-morrow a duly 


40 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


authorized keeper will be placed in charge of 
the premises.” 

Manly listened to this in a dazed sort of way, 
managing to say at last : 

“Mr. Whitcomb, yon cannot mean what you 
say. Yoii will at least wait for father’s explan- 
ation. He will explain it all satisfactorily I am 
sure. ’ ’ 

“There is an old saw which says, ‘Safe bind 
sure to find.’ I am afraid we would have to 
wait until the old mills crumbled to ruins be- 
fore we should see him. ’ ’ 

“Mr. Whitcomb, you act and speak in a 
strange manner. You cannot mean that father 
has— has — run — away ? ’ ’ 

“That is just what I mean. Wliy, your own 
conduct shows that you know there is something- 
wrong. You haven’t made the first effort to 
find your father without being urged. Why 
should both of the firm keep out of sight if ev- 
erything was square and above board? There 
can be but one answer : The Orecroft iron mills 
are hopelessly involved and their owners have 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


41 


fled in disgrace, too weak to meet the ruin they 
have inflicted upon themselves.” 

These sweeping assertions took the young 
ironworker so much by surprise that he hesi- 
tated in his reply. His father had given him 
no hint that business was not moving along with 
its accustomed regularity. He had not dreamed 
of any shrinkage in the output of the work, and 
he knew that less than a week before they had 
received an order for car rails which amounted 
to a large sum. Still there was something about 
the present situation which was mysterious. 
Trying to keep back the evidence of pain he felt 
over Sheriff Whitcomb’s pointed remarks, he 
said : 

“I cannot help thinking that your words are 
unwarranted, Mr. Wliitcomb. I will confess 
there is something about this matter I do not 
understand; but I want to say to you, gentle- 
men, that father does not owe a dollar he cannot 
and will not pay, only give him proper time. 
Mr. Parton, please do not give yourself any un- 
easiness in regard to those checks. I will call at 


42 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the bank early in the morning, if father does 
not.” 

“I trust you will do so, Mr. Sterling, and that 
everything will be properly adjusted. Good 
evening, gentlemen,” and without longer delay 
the bank official left the office. 

“Parton seems mighty little concerned,” 
muttered the sheriff, “but I guess he will get 
his eyes open pretty soon. What were you say- 
ing, young man ? ’ ’ 

“If you please, sir, I would like to see the 
note Mr. Corning holds against Sterling & 
Grasp.” 

In reply the other handed the piece of paper 
which meant so much to Manly, who examined 
it closely. 

“You see, it is genuine enough,” remarked 
Mr. MTiitcomb. 

“I notice that it was not written on the kind 
of paper used here in the office, ’ ’ replied Manly, 
holding it up so the light shone through it, dis- 
closing the water mark, which was a crown with 
a capital M directly beneath it, and a peculiar 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


43 


flourish in which was given in small letters the 
balance of the word, “ills.” “I see also that 
the ink we keep here in the office was not used.” 

“What has the kind of paper and ink used 
got to do with the value of the note 1 ’ ’ demanded 
Mr. Whitcomb, showing more excitement than 
seemed necessary. 

“Nothing, sir; though it may mean consid- 
erable in another direction.” 

“Do you insinuate the note is a forgery?” 
asked Mr. Corning, beginning to move about 
uneasily. 

“No, sir. I merely wished to show that the 
note was not written or signed in the office. ’ ’ 

“Very true, very true,” declared Mr. Corn- 
ing, rubbing his hands and looking relieved. 
“It was done at my house. Nothing very irreg- 
ular about that, was there, Mr. Whitcomb?” 

“If you have no objection, Mr. Cross, I would 
like to see the note held by Messrs. Earning, 
Dewing & Dunn, ’ ’ said Manly. 

“Certainly, certainly, Mr. Sterling. You will 
find nothing irregular about that, though it was 


44 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


duly written and signed before it was seen by 
them. ’ ’ 

Upon comparing this latter with the other 
Manly was not a little surprised to find that it 
was written upon the same kind of paper and 
with the same kind of ink. 

“Thank you; that is all. Now, as I am not 
needed here, I think I will go home to quiet 
mother’s anxiety over father’s absence. I shall 
be back in a few minutes. ’ ’ 

“You needn’t put yourself out to do it,” said 
the sheriff. “I am responsible for everything 
here now.” 

“With both father and Mr. Grasp away it 
may be necessary for some one to look after 
affairs about the mills,” replied Manly, some- 
what nettled by the officer’s important way. 

‘ ‘ Of course ; I didn ’t mean that. ’ ’ 

As Manly was leaving the office a strip of yel- 
low paper such as is used in sending out no- 
tices from telegraph stations caught his eye, 
and, picking it up, he read, while he felt that he 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


45 


had found the key at least to the secret of Mr. 
Grasp’s singular disappearance: 

“Mr. Leonard Grasp: 

“Your father died suddenly this afternoon.” 
“That explains Mr. Grasp’s absence,” he. 
said, handing the message to Mr. Whitcomb. 

‘ ‘ That is dated at four o ’clock, and he no doubt 
left at once for Greenwich. He must have been 
obliged to leave hastily, without time to speak 
to any one.” 

“Perhaps so,” acknowledged the sheriff, .in 
a tone which showed his unwillingness to say 
so, while he scrutinized the telegram closely. 
“What do you think of it. Cross!” 

Leaving them discussing the situation. Manly 
started for his home, with a lighter heart. 


CHAPTER V. 


ANOTHER TELEGRAM, BUT MORE STARTLING THAN 
THE FIRST. 

Manly found his mother very anxious over 
the non-appearance of his father, but as she 
knew nothing of the situation at the mills, she 
was less concerned than she might otherwise 
have been. He explained to her the telegram 
announcing the death of Mr. Grasp’s father, 
and that it was supposed he had gone home. 

“He must have gone away in a great hurry, 
for everything about the office was left topsy- 
turvy, which was the reason we did not find the 
message sooner.” 

“Perhaps your father went with him,” said 
Mrs. Sterling, feeling that at last she had found 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


47 


a clew to the mystery of his disappearance. ‘ ‘ He 
might think it necessary, and not have time to 
let any one know of his intentions.” 

“Very true,” said Manly, who was glad of 
the relief the thought gave his mother. “And 
now I will return to the mills.” 

His mother was not unwilling that he should 
do so, as she hoped he would be able to learn 
something definite of his father. 

Upon reaching the office he found the sheriff 
alone, the other men having gone home. His 
father had not appeared, and, feeling that he 
would not see him that night, he started on a 
tour of inspection over the works. 

That was a night both he and his mother 
would remember as long as they lived. He went 
back and forth from the office to the house sev- 
eral times, partly to comfort her and partly in 
the vain hope that at one place or the other he 
would find his father. He telegraphed to 
Greenwich without getting any intelligence of 
him, though he did not tell this to his mother. 
So the dawn of another day found them as hope- 


48 


FORGE AND FURNACE, 


less as ever, and feeling that they had delayed 
action already too long, plans for more ex- 
tended search were being made, when a mes- 
senger boy from the telegraph station brought 
a message directed to the firm. 

Breaking the envelope with a trembling hand. 
Manly read: 

“A man we believe to be Henry Sterling of 
your firm, is confined here. 

“A. Duncan, Chief of Police.” 

Unable to credit his senses Manly read and 
reread the message, and as he did so Sheriff 
Whitcomb arose from his seat at the desk and 
looked over his shonlder, to make himself fa- 
miliar with the startling information. 

“In Greenwich police station!” exclaimed 
the latter, the first to break the silence, ending 
his speech with a prolonged whistle. 

Believing there must be some dreadful mis- 
take, Manly started at once for the telegraph 
station to send a message to Greenwich, asking 
for an explanation. The suspense became al- 
most unendurable while he was obliged to wait, 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


49 


and the answer that came was brief, but ter- 
rible ; 

“He has lost his reason. Crazy as a loon!” 

“I must go at once to Greenwich,” he 
thought. “There is no other alternative. But 
how came father there? and what does it 
mean?” 

As the first train would not leave until nine- 
thirty, he would have ample time to go home, 
and also to look after such other business as de- 
manded his attention. The hardest part of his 
task would be to break the news to his mother. 
Hoping it might not prove as had as it looked, he 
resolved to withhold from her the whole truth, 
feeling he was doing what was best in following 
that course. 

Somewhat to his surprise she appeared re- 
lieved to know that some trace of him had been 
received, saying : 

“It must have been the news of Mr. Grasp’s 
death that called him to Greenwich, and he did 
not have time to let us know. He will doubtless 
come home this forenoon.” 


50 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“I think I had better go and meet him, 
mother.” 

His voice may have betrayed him, or her 
mother’s intuition have told her that he had not 
acknowledged the full truth. There was some- 
thing wrong he had not dared to tell. Taking 
him by the hand, and looking him earnestly in 
the countenance, she said: 

“Manly, my son, there is more than you have 
told me. You are keeping something back. 
Perhaps you think you are doing it for my good, 
hut I want you to remember that I am as strong 
as you, and that it is right I should know even 
the worst.” 

He saw his mistake immediately, and he felt 
guilty for the course he had taken. 

“Dear mother, forgive me! I did it for what 
I believed was your sake, but I can see that 
it was wrong. You will be better fitted to meet 
the consequence by knowing the truth now, as 
terrible as it is. Be brave, for what the end may 
be I cannot tell. It has all come so suddenly, 
and is so mysterious, I cannot realize it is so.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


51 ' 


Then, while she listened with a calmness that 
surprised him, he not only told her of the mes- 
sages which had been received in regard to his 
father, but he made her fully acquainted with 
the situation at the mills. 

“It is awful, my son, but you can’t know how 
glad I am you did not go away without telling 
me. I must have learned of it all very soon, and 
you see how much better it will be for us to meet 
it together. Always remember, my son, you 
have no truer friend and helper than your 
mother. It is possible you are unduly alarmed. 
I believe it has been brought about by the sud- 
den death of Leonard’s father, which has called 
both him and your father to Greenwich, without 
preparation for the absence. Let us hope it will 
end well. One thing you must not forget. Man- 
ly ; let come what may your father’s good name 
is above reproach.” 

“I know it, dear mother, and you cannot 
know what strength your hopeful words have 
given me. I will never try to deceive you again, 


52 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


even by simply remaining silent when the truth 
should be spoken.” 

Feeling wonderfully encouraged by his 
mother’s firm faith in the ultimate happy out- 
come of the matter, Manly finished his prepa- 
rations for his journey to Greenwich. Mindful 
of his promise to Mr. Parton he resolved to call 
at the bank on the way to the station, telling his 
mother of this purpose. 

On his way hither he called at the mills to 
explain to foreman Fulton the whole situation, 
and to give a few words of advice, finding the 
latter in hearty sympathy with him. 

“I want to tell you one thing. Manly Ster- 
ling, that it is my belief Leonard Grasp is at 
the bottom of all this trouble.” 

Manly did not stop to reply to this. He had 
seen that Sheriff MHiitcomb had put in a keeper 
and gone away himself. With conflicting emo- 
tions which would be difficult to describe, he 
hastened toward the bank, to find the cashier 
anxiously looking for him. 

“I am glad to see you so punctual,” greeted 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


53 


Mr. Parton. “Mr. Morgan said I was a fool 
for dallying with, you, but I told him I believed 
you to be a young man of your word and that 
we could trust you.” 

“I thank you, Mr. Parton; I intend to do al- 
ways as I agree. If you have no objection I 
would like to see that check.” 

“Certainly. I am glad you are prepared to 
meet it. It lifts a great responsibility from my 
shoulders. To be honest, the president gave me 
a fearful blowing up for not having it protested 
last night.” 

‘ ‘ I am very sorry, Mr. Parton, but I have not , 
come prepared to adjust it. You see it has 
come so unexpectedly, and father and Mr. Grasp 
have been called to Greenwich by the death of 
Matthew Grasp, that it has left affairs in bad 
shape for a short time.” 

Dismay was written in every line of the cash- 
ier’s face, as he handed the check to Manly 
without speaking. 

The young ironworker took the piece of pa- 
per and examined it even more critically than 


V 54 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


he had the notes. He had no hesitation in de- 
ciding that it had been written with the same 
ink used on the others, hut the signature of the 
firm more than aught else had his attention. His 
father had always been supposed to sign the 
checks, hut all at once a change came over his 
countenance, and he exclaimed impetuously : 

“Mr. Parton, father never signed that 
check!” 


CHAPTER VI. 


THE SITUATION AT GREENWICH. 

“What is that you are saying, young man?” 
asked a voice at his elbow, and Manly was sur- 
prised to find that Mr. Morgan, the president of 
the bank, had stepped out of his private office 
and stood beside him. 

“There is something wrong about this, sir,” 
replied Manly. “This signature does not look 
like father’s, and he always signs the checks.” 

“And you dare pronounce it a forgery, young 
man? You may not realize the gravity of the 
charge.” 

“I hope you will excuse me, Mr. Morgan, but 
the writing looks so different from his hand 
that-” 


56 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“Different from his hand? Do you expect a 
man is going always to cut his letters according 
to certain line^ as copy plates do? That is 
where experts get taken in. The fact is, no 
man writes alike at all times. Nothing would 
seem to me stronger evidence of forgery than 
to find two or more signatures written exactly 
alike. But that isn’t the question for us to set- 
tle. What we want is money— one thousand five 
hundred dollars. ’ ’ 

“I am very sorry, Mr. Morgan, hut I cannot 
pay it until I have seen father. I am going this 
morning to Greenwich, and as soon as I get— ’ ’ 

Mr. Morgan stopped him with a wave of his 
fat hand. ' He was an exceedingly pompous 
man, and inclined to be oppressive to those 
weaker than himself. 

“W'hat have I been telling you, Walter?” 
turning to the cashier. “This is no more than 
I expected, and we have delayed action too long. 
Sterling & Grasp have gone beyond their 
depth. ’ ’ 

“But Mr. Sterling has always been the soul 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


57 


of honesty, and when his son said that check 
should be—” 

“Tut-tut! You remember the little story 
of the pitcher going to the well, Walter, and 
that it went once at last to be broken. Well, 
this is a case just like it on a bigger scale. Send 
it back. ’ ’ 

“I hope you don’t think father — ” 

“No use to waste any words about it, young 
man. It’s dollars we want, and not words,” 
and the pompous official returned to his private 
room. 

“You see, it has put me in a hard place,” 
said Mr. Parton, as soon as the president had 
left. “You can’t blame me for what I am 
obliged to do. ” 

“No-no, but I wish it might stand until I 
get back from Greenwich ! Hello ! there is the 
car whistle now. I shall be too late to catch the 
train 1 ’ ’ 

As Manly ran out of the bank he barely 
missed running headfirst into Sheriff Whit- 
comb, who was about entering. He sped at the 


58 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


top of his speed toward the station without 
stopping to apologize, but as he got within sight 
of the depot he saw the long train ready to 
start. By dint of hard running he succeeded 
in reaching the rear car and swinging himself 
upon the platform as the train thundered on. 

“I wouldn’t advise you to try that every 
time,” said a passenger, who then began to di- 
late upon the way the American people have of 
waiting until the train is in the station and then 
rushing to catch upon it, ‘ ‘ swinging themselves 
aboard at the peril of their lives.” 

Manly Sterling, however, was not in a frame 
of mind to profit by any such lecture, and he did 
not speak to or notice any one during the long 
ride to Greenwich, and as soon as the train 
came to a stop he hastened to the police station. 

He found the chief a very courteous gentle- 
man, who, as soon as he had learned his identity, 
gave him his undivided attention. 

“It is one of the most peculiar cases I ever 
saw, and wishing to do all I could for the man, 
I asked Dr. Wise in to see him. I think the doe- 


FOEGE AND FUENACE. 


59 


tor is with him now. How did it happen that 
he came here? It was like this: Word came to 
us that a demented man was wandering about 
the streets, so I sent out and had him taken here 
at once. As soon as I found out who he was, I 
telegraphed to Orecroft. The doctor said the 
best we could do was to keep him until some one 
came for him. Come this way if you wish to 
see him. He is not violent, but the doctor fears 
he will be. ’ ’ 

Under a state of mind he had never dreamed 
of knowing, and which words cannot describe. 
Manly followed silently the chief to the room 
where his father was being kept. He had tried 
to prepare himself for any ordeal, but he was 
not equal to the one he met. Could it be pos- 
sible his father was the changed and altered 
man crouching in the corner of the small apart- 
ment and staring up at him with wide-opened 
but expressionless eyes? His features were 
haggard and of a deathly pallor. 

“Oh, father, don’t you know me?” 


60 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


In an instant his whole demeanor changed, 
and, holding out his arms, he cried ; 

‘ ‘ My son ! my son ! there is one who believes 
in me yet. ’ ’ 

“His first rational utterance,” said good old 
Dr. Wise; “there is hope after all.” 

But the swift light of recognition passed in a 
moment, and the unhappy man paid no further 
attention to Manly or the others. 

“It is the most singular case I ever knew,” 
said the kindly doctor, with a shake of his gray 
head. “It is evident that he has been laboring 
under some great mental strain and has met 
with some great disappointment.” 

“Perhaps with rest he will recover,” said 
Chief Duncan. 

“I am afraid not; I am afraid not.” 

“Will there be any harm in his son’s trying to 
get him home?” 

“His home is the best place for him. It is 
possible that with quiet surroundings he may 
escape growing violent. Don’t take him to an 
asylum if it can he avoided. Why, the very 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


61 


surroundings there would render him hopelessly 
insane. ’ ’ 

“Will it be prudent for the boy to take him 
home alone?” 

“It will be safer for me to go. I think I will. 
To be frank, I feel an uncommon interest in the 
case. If no objection is raised I hope to have 
its especial care.” 

Nothing could suit Manly better, but as he 
would have plenty of time before the train for 
Orecroft would start, he felt that he must see 
Mr. Grasp, his father’s partner. He was told 
that Mr. Matthew Grasp’s death was a great 
shock to the household, as he had been in ap- 
parent good health an hour before he had been 
stricken down. 

“Heart difficulty,” said Dr. Wise. “He had 
been troubled with it for a long time, though he 
had kept it from his family.” 

Leaving his father under the care of the doc- 
tor, Manly hastened to the fine residence of the 
late Mr. Grasp, where he was destined to meet 
with another startling surprise. Leonard 


62 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


Grasp had not been home, and his mother was 
nearly wild with grief. All that he could learn 
was the meager fact that the son had tele- 
graphed from Orecroft that he would come as 
soon as possible. 

“Something has happened to prevent his get- 
ting here, hut he will come — he must!” 

Manly made no reply to this, though at last 
he felt his faith in the other weakening. There 
was a meaning as well as mystery in the disap- 
pearance of Leonard Grasp. As he had no fam- 
ily, until some clew as to his whereabouts could 
be ascertained a search for him must be made 
at hazard. 

The journey to Orecroft was uneventful. 
Dr. Wise accompanied Manly and his father, 
though, as it proved, his presence was not 
needed. If they had expected any change in the 
appearance of Mr. Sterling upon meeting fam- 
iliar scenes they were disappointed. With the 
same unconcern he might have been expected 
to show among strangers, speaking to no one, 
he entered his home and sank into the old arm- 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


63 


chair that had been his favorite seat in years 
gone by. 

Mrs. Sterling, who had been schooling her- 
self for this sad meeting, was forced to turn 
away to conceal the tears which would come. 

In the midst of this melancholy meeting a 
loud rap sounded on the door, which caused 
Mrs. Sterling to glance nervously out of the 
window. 

“Oh, dear me, here comes a messenger from 
the mills— one of the boys— and he is crying 
like a child. Wliat can have happened now? 
Oh! is there anything worse to meet?” 


CHAPTEE VII. 


THE SHUTDOWN. 

“Be calm, mother,” said Manly reassuringly. 
“There can be nothing worse to come, and we 
will hope brighter tidings are in store for us. 
As I can do no good here, I will see what the 
boy wants and go hack with him to the mills. ’ ’ 

Seeing that his mother’s countenance bright- 
ened at his words, the young ironworker left 
the room to answer the summons at the door. 
He found Curly outside, anxiously awaiting 
him. 

“What is the trouble now. Curly? Has 
Bleak been beating you again?” 

“Yes, sir; he kicked me down this morning 
and said dreadful things against me, but that 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


65 


ain’t nothing like this other. What has come 
over ’em all? Men hev all stopped work and 
air jess standing round and a-swearing and a- 
cursing at each other. They say work is done 
at the mills. Dad is cursing louder ’n enny 
one.” 

While Curly was speaking in a hurried man- 
ner between his gasps of fright and grief, Man- 
ly saw a body of men coming rapidly over the 
bridge and approaching the house. He knew 
the sight of them would worry his mother, so 
he said : 

“Come alone with me. Curly. Bleak has had 
his last chance to beat you. We will soon see 
what the trouble is at the mill.” 

Purposely quickening his steps Manly by this 
time had come within speaking distance of the 
approaching party, which was talking loudly 
one with another. They were all workmen 
from the “upper furnaces,” as the west por- 
tion of the works was called, and upon recog- 
nizing him stopped with one accord. 


66 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“How now, men,” greeted Manly, “what is 
up?” 

“I should say the very de’il was to pay,” 
muttered the leader, a tall, dark-visaged, bee- 
tle-browed man in middle life. “Where’s the 
ol’ man?” 

“If you mean father, he is at the house, sir. 
He is sick.” 

“Whoot, mon! be keerful wot he gin us!” 
broke in another. “Ain’t th’ ol’ mon run er- 
way?” 

“No, Robbins. He is at the house sick,” re- 
plied Manly, looking the speaker squarely in 
the face. “Who told you he had run away?” 

“They air sayin’ so at th’ mills, an’ work is 
shut down. No more is goin’ bein’ done.” 

“I should like to know who gave such an 
order. Father is sick and I am afraid he will 
not very soon do any more work, but you have 
no need to stop. Orecroft iron mills must and 
shall be kept running.” 

A faint cheer greeted this firm declaration, 
and with one accord the little crowd started 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


67 


back toward the mills, with Manly and Curly 
following close upon their heels. 

As they approached the mills our hero could 
see that everywhere there was evidence of a 
sort of suppressed excitement. Men were col- 
lected in small groups talking in low, hut ear- 
nest tones, many gesticulating in an excited 
manner. From the sounds, or rather the lack 
of sounds, he understood that considerable of 
the machinery was still. "Work had been 
stopped in varfous parts of the foundry. Until 
that moment, in the great anxiety and burden 
of calamity which had so suddenly and unex- 
pectedly fallen on him. Manly had not dreamed 
of this change. 

From one of the knots of workmen Foreman 
Fulton stepped in his rapid, brusque manner 
toward Manly, as soon as he had seen him. 

‘ ‘ I want to know what is to he done, ’ ’ he said 
briefly. “Everything is heads and tails. We 
have been ordered to shut down the mills, but 
I refused to do that entirely until I had heard 
from the firm. I am working for Sterling & 


68 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Grasp, and not for that contemptible sheriff 
with his brag and bluster. ’ ’ 

The words gave Manly hope and courage, for 
he knew John Fulton was a man he could count 
on. 

“I am afraid Sterling & Grasp are not in a 
way to give you an order, Mr. Fulton,” he said, 
frankly. “Father is unable to leave the house, 
and T do not know where Mr. Grasp is.” 

“It don’t matter much where Leonard Grasp 
is, and I have heard of your father’s sickness. 
Manly. In that case I must look to you for my 
orders.” 

“Sheriff Whitcomb has attached everything 
about the mills,” said Manly, resolved to keep 
nothing from Mr. Fulton. “I suppose if he 
says shut down we can’t help ourselves.” 

“I don’t know what is at the bottom of all 
this, but I can see through a sieve, and that is 
about all that is required to see that this infer- 
nal sheriff is bent on ruining this concern. I 
believe he thinks there is a dollar in doing it.” 

Mr. Fulton was blunt in his manner, and he 


FORaE AND FURNACE. 


69 


showed that he was honest in his convictions at 
all times. His abrupt words now opened Man- 
ly’s eyes as some better chosen language might 
not have done. Was it possible Sheriff MTiit- 
comb was behind a scheme to break down the 
firm and reap a harvest from the ruin he might 
make? 

“There is something about the situation I do 
not understand,” replied Manly, “and I am 
afraid matters are hopelessly entangled.” 

“Stand up for your rights every time, my 
boy. Nobody else will for you, but you can 
count on old John Fulton through thick and 
thin. There comes that sheriff out of your 
father’s private room. What business has he 
there ? ’ ’ 

The same question was on Manly’s lips, but 
he wisely did not give it utterance, while he 
waited for the officer to come forward. 

“I can’t make anything out of your father’s 
work,” said Mr. Whitcomb, as if the others 
were to blame for it. “I suppose you know all 
about it, young man ? ’ ’ 


70 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“I know something, sir, about it.” 

“Of course, you will explain what you know. 
You see, it is really necessary for us to get 
something out of it to save ourselves. I find 
affairs in a worse shape than I had expected. 
You gave me no inkling of the brink of finan- 
cial ruin on which the firm stood. My credit- 
ors are badly boxed, for as near as I can figure 
it out the claims will run up over a hundred 
thousand. I don’t suppose the whole plant will 
bring fifty under the hammer. Hilloa! here is 
Hildreth! I hope you don’t owe him any- 
thing. ’ ’ 

While speaking Mr. Whitcomb had slowly 
started back toward the office, until the sight of 
the newcomer driving into the yard caused him 
to stop. 

Manly recognized this man as one with 
whom his father had long done business and 
whom he believed was strictly just in his deal- 
ings. 

“Good morning,” greeted this Mr. Hildreth. 



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FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


71 


“I hope this had news isn’t as had as I hear. 
How is yonr father, Manly?” 

“I hardly know what to tell you, Mr. Hil- 
dreth. He is at the house, and though we hope 
he will soon he out, we are afraid it will he some 
time before he is able to do anything.” 

“Sorry, sorry to hear it. What! have you 
shut down business?” 

“Yes,” the sheriff hastened to say. “You 
see,” he added, “matters have got into pretty 
bad shape, and I had to step in to save my cred- 
itors. I hope the firm doesn’t owe you any- 
thing, Hildreth. ’ ’ 

The latter, without replying, stepped from 
his carriage. 

‘ ‘ I want to talk with you a moment, Mr. Ster- 
ling,” he said, “and then I will go over to the 
house and see your father. ’ ’ 

“Come right into the office, Mr. Hildreth,” 
said Manly, leading the way, while Whitcomb 
and the others followed. 

Upon reaching the office they found a man 


72 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


already there who paid no heed to them as they 
entered. 

“Mr. David Hawke, my keeper over the 
premises, ’ ’ said Mr. MHiitcomh. 

Mr. Hildreth, without more than glancing 
toward the man who rose to reply to the intro- 
duction, turned to the sheriff, saying : 

“It seems to me, Mr. Whitcomb, that you 
have begun to carry rather a high hand here.” 

“Doing only what the law allows and justice 
demands. You see, business has been running 
at loose ends for a long time, and now the firm 
is hopelessly involved.” 

“Sho! I was not aware of it. Its credit has 
always been good with us.” 

“Sometimes good credit is an injury to a man 
—a positive injury. Now, Sterling meant to 
do right, but his good name allowed him to 
swamp himself.” 

“How? I do not understand, Mr. Whit- 
comb.” 

“Why, that invention has swallowed up every 
dollar he could get hold of. But I have included 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


73 


that in my attachment under a double head, so 
if there is any money in it my creditors will get 
something to help them out.” 

“But that is father’s private property, Mr. 
Whitcomb, and you cannot take that for debts 
of the firm,” said Manly. 

“I’ll see about that. Nothing is going to he 
exempted here, not if I know it. Say, Hawke, I 
thought I ordered those furnace fires to be put 
out. ’ ’ 

“It will raise trouble among the workmen if 
we do,” replied the keeper. “They are like a 
sleeping volcano, but begin to poke them and 
they’ll break into a fight.” 


CHAPTEE VIII. 


‘'like his father.” 

“Why need work be shut down at all, Mr. 
Whitcomb P’ asked Manly. 

“Of course business cannot go on in such a 
tangle. It will take weeks, perhaps months, to 
straighten out affairs. Hawke, see that man 
whom I gave the order to to stop at once, and 
ask him why I have not been obeyed.” 

Sheriff Whitcomb spoke loud enough to he 
heard at a considerable distance, and his speech 
was followed by a low, hut very sharp hiss 
from those who had gathered in and about the 
ofKce. 

“Mr. Whitcomb, in the interest of yourself 
and your creditors I hope you will not insist 
upon this order.” 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


75 


The officer turned sharply upon the youthful 
speaker, but allowed him to continue : 

“Only harm can come of stopping work here 
at this time. I am sorry any complications 
have arisen in the affairs, and I do not believe 
there is any tangle which cannot be fixed in a 
few days. While it is being done, let the men 
keep at their work. They need their wages. 
There are enough orders to keep every furnace 
going night and day. It is for your creditors’ 
interest work is not stopped.” 

“So you are running this business, are you, 
young man?” demanded Wliitcomb sharply. 
“We’ll see about this pretty soon.” 

“It seems to me the boy is right,” said Hil- 
dreth. “As long as the help can be kept at 
work, why not do so?” 

‘ ‘ Mr. Hildreth, have you any personal interest 
in this concern?” demanded the sheriff, with a 
strong accent on the word “personal.” “Be- 
cause if you have you have a right to be heard.” 

“I don’t know as I exactly catch your mean- 
ing, Mr. Whitcomb, but I think Hildreth & Hil- 


76 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


dreth. have about as much at stake here as any 
one. ’ ’ 

“Do you mean the firm is owing you, sir?” 

“We have a small claim, hut we do not pro- 
pose to crowd too hard, unless the rest drive us 
to it.” 

“So they are owing you? Worse and worse. 
How much is your claim, Mr. Hildeth ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I am not prepared to say here, hut I will be 
ready to give a statement at the meeting of the 
creditors you have warned. Now, it is my ad- 
vice we let the young man go right on with the 
business as if nothing had happened.” 

“In my opinion that shows you haven’t much 
of a claim. But how are you going to keep 
help which has not been paid? As for myself, 
I have no money to advance in any such wild- 
goose undertaking as to put this concern in the 
hands of a rattle-headed hoy.” 

“Is there a man among you who wants his 
wages?” asked Manly, in a moment, addressing 
the workmen who stood about. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


77 


‘‘Yes, sir; me!” replied one of the spectators. 
“And there is Bill here, too.” 

“How much is due you?” demanded Manly. 

“Wage sence Monday morning,” was the 
prompt reply, followed by a chorus of laughs 
from his companions. 

“And that is all?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

By this time Manly’s hand had dropped into 
one of his pockets, and, bringing out his pocket- 
book, he began to count out the amount of the 
three days’ pay due the man. 

“Here it is. You are at liberty, sir, to go 
your way. Is there any one else here who wants 
his money?” 

This had been done so quickly and unexpect- 
edly that no one replied. 

Even the workman who had asked for and re- 
ceived his earnings did not offer to move away, 
but he stood fumbling the money and looking 
exceedingly foolish. 

“Look a-hyur, Mr. Sterling!” he said, as soon 
as he could collect himself enough to speak 


78 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


again. “I don’t a-want this monish ef you can 
pay it. I don’t want to go away ef John is go in’ 
to stay.” 

“Every man can stay who wishes; but every 
man can go away who wishes.” 

“Spoken just like his father,” said a gray- 
headed veteran of the forges. “If you please, 
young man, it’s work we want now, an’ at th’ 
end of th’ week monish for our famblies.” 

“You shall have it as you wish, Joe. Mr. 
Fulton, I leave the men in your charge. Unless 
Mr. Whitcomb really objects business and work 
is going on as if nothing unusual had hap- 
pened.” 

Sheriff Whitcomb parted his lips three times 
to speak, but the words he would speak did not 
come, and with exclamations of pleasure the 
workmen started for their respective posts of 
duty. 

“Good for you. Manly Sterling,” said Mr. 
Hildreth. “You are the one to take charge 
here.” 

“I should think it was taking considerable 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


79 


authority which don’t belong to him,” mut- 
tered the sheriff. “But of course I don’t ob- 
ject. I am only a servant of the law, and what 
pleases the rest of you suits me, only I warn 
you the worst of this matter has not come to 
the surface yet. Keep your eyes open, Hawke, 
and at the least sign of a riot or anything not 
down in the plan, let me know. Good day all.” 

With these words the sheriff left the place. 

“Whew! what has come over Whit?” ex- 
claimed Mr. Hildreth. “But I can’t stop any 
longer. If your father is able to see any one, I 
will run over to the house.” 

Manly was forced to confess that his father 
was not in a condition to appreciate a call from 
any one, when Mr. Hildreth expressed his re- 
grets and hopes of a speedy recovery, while he 
prepared to go away. 

“Well, the most I can say is to keep up good 
courage. I hope the cloud will soon blow 
away. ’ ’ 

As soon as his visitors had gone Manly be- 
gan to clear up the office and get things into 


80 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


their proper places, finding this no easy job. 
As he worked his mind was busy with plans for 
the future, for he felt that it would not do for 
him to stop in the undertaking his father had 
begun. 

“To stop here means the loss of all he has 
got. I must get at the bottom of Leonard 
Grasp’s work and find how the firm is really 
standing, so as to meet these creditors as best 
I can.’_^’ 

Manly had requested Mr. Grasp’s folks at 
Greenwich to telegraph him the moment the 
missing man shonld appear, if he came home, 
but the day passed .without bringing him any 
such message. Neither had any trace of him 
been found elsewhere. Naturally the convic- 
tion grew stronger and stronger that Leon- 
ard Grasp had purposely fled, and that it would 
be many a day before he would be seen by those 
he had left behind. 

As heretofore both Manly’s father and Mr. 
Grasp had been in active duty, the one by day 
and the other by night, it became our hero’s 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


81 


first object to find two men to take their places. 

He believed he could not do better than to 
give John Fulton first place for the night 
watches, and accordingly he called the latter to 
him and explained fully what he wanted. 

“I want you to shift from the day to the 
night hours because I do not know of a man I 
can so fully trust. I expect to be here in the 
daytime myself, but I shall get Kent Knerl to 
take your place ; I mean the situation you have 
been holding.” 

“Knerl will be a good man for you,” said 
Fulton. “It will come a little hard for me at 
first, but I will do anything you ask and do it 
the best I know. We will keep work humming, 
or I don’t know my trade. Do you find affairs 
in very bad shape, Manly ? ” 

“I can’t exactly tell you, but it looks as if 
Grasp had got hold of every dollar he could be- 
fore he skipped. ’ ’ 

There were several callers that afternoon, 
and a part of them had bills to collect, but Man- 
ly found himself in better spirits at the close of 


82 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the day than he had felt it possible to be. As a 
rule he was given courteous treatment by those 
who had hurried to the mills as soon as the fly- 
ing stories of the disaster had reached them. 

Manly had soon found that considerable was 
due the firm from outstanding bills, but he sus- 
pected at the very outset many of these had been 
collected by Grasp and not been handed in. 
Just how far this part of the other’s pecula- 
tions had gone only time and investigation 
could prove. 

When he went home that evening he found 
no change in his father’s condition, while his 
mother was anxious to know how affairs were 
at the mills. 

The following day about noon Manly was 
somewhat surprised to receive an invitation to 
meet with the creditors of the firm at two 
0 ’clock. 


CHAPTER IX. 


SHERIFF Whitcomb's triumph. 

Manly had been told that the creditors were 
holding a meeting in the forenoon, but he was 
at a loss to anticipate the import of this request 
to meet with them at their adjourned session. 

Promptly at two he reached the bank, in the 
president’s room of which he was to meet the 
others, and he found Mr. Hildreth and Corning 
already there. 

“Glad to see you so prompt,” said the for- 
mer, “for I consider it the very best recom- 
mendation a young man can give is to be always 
on hand. Ah, here come Morgan and Whit- 
comb. You will soon understand the object of 
coming here. ’ ’ 


84 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Besides the fonr Bamed, there were soon 
present Mr. Cutter of the firm of Cutter, Welch 
& Co., the holder of the protested check, and 
a dozen other creditors, representing amounts 
from ten dollars to five hundred dollars. 

It proved that Mr. Morgan had been chosen 
chairman, and he called the meeting to order 
with a wave of his fat hand. 

This was no sooner done than Sheriff Whit- 
comb arose, addressing the president : 

“Mr. Chairman, I protest against this boys’ 
play. It is infamous. I find the further I carry 
my investigations the deeper Sterling & Grasp 
are in the mud. They are hopelessly involved, 
and every day’s delay means less for my clients. 

“That’s so,” declared Corning, moving un- 
easily on his seat. “I find a mistake in casting 
the interest on my note, and that there is twenty 
cents more due me than was calculated this fore- 
noon.” 

This statement brought a smile to the lips of 
some of those present, while others showed their 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


85 


contempt for the speaker. Mr. Hildreth next 
spoke, saying: 

“I would like to ask how much Mr. Whit- 
comb considers he is behind in this matter.” 

“I can tell you pretty quick, sir. I consider 
myself responsible for Coming’s note of about 
eleven hundred. Earning, Dewing & Dunn for 
some over two thousand. Cutter, Welch & Co. 
eight hundred, the hank here fifteen hundred 
and Bronson’s check of two hundred. How 
much does that make, Mr. Hildreth?” 

‘ ‘ Between five and six thousand, ’ ’ replied the 
latter, who had put down the sums mentioned, 
as soon as he could foot them up. “Even all 
those, Whitcomb, you will perceive are below 
the claim of Hildreth & Hildreth, which is over 
seven thousand dollars. We are the largest 
claimants against the firm, but my partners or 
myself do not feel like crowding the concern. 
Now it was my suggestion that we get the 
young man who must necessarily carry on the 
business here and have him give a statement as 
to what it seems possible for him to do. It is 


86 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


possible by combining our interests and work- 
ing together that we can pull out of this with- 
out losing a dollar. According to your own tes- 
timony we cannot expect to get more than fifty 
cents on a dollar by pressing a settlement.” 

“Let me have my way, and I believe I can 
get a little more than I at first concluded. But 
you must remember that every day’s delay adds 
to the expense of the settlement and shrinks the 
valuation of the property. My clients are all 
anxious for a speedy settlement.” 

“I would like to ask the young man a few 
questions, if no one objects,” said Mr. Hildreth; 
and none of the others doing so, he continued, 
addressing Manly: 

“How has business been at the iron mills for 
the past year?” 

“Never better, sir, to my knowledge.” 

“You have known of no falling off during the 
last six months?” 

“No, sir.” 

“How do the last three months compare with 
those immediately preceding?” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


87 


“Favorably, sir.” 

“And you have plenty of work to keep the 
mills running on full time for quite a spell ? ’ ’ 

“For six months I should say, sir. There is 
an order for fifteen thousand dollars worth of 
work which we shall be obliged to rush through 
as fast as possible.” 

“I should like to ask him,” interposed Whit- 
comb, “how he accounts for the mountain of 
debts if business has been so good.” 

“It seems to have come about by Mr. Grasp. 
He could explain it, and perhaps satisfac- 
torily.” 

“Pretty bold statement to make, it seems to 
me. I understand you infer this Grasp has 
been stealing the firm’s funds'?” 

“I said no such thing, sir.” 

“But you accuse him of taking the firm’s 
money ! ’ ’ 

“It looks as if he had, sir.” 

“Didn’t your father sign every check and 
paper issued by the concern?” 

“He was supposed to.” 


88 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


“Exactly. And his signature is on all of 
these notes and papers held by the creditors of 
the firm.” 

“Am I on trial, gentlemen?” 

“Oh, no,” Mr. Hildreth hastened to say. 
“This is but an informal talk to see what is best 
to be done. Do you think, Mr. Sterling, the bus- 
iness could be run so as to pay its indebtedness 
and come out whole?” 

“I do, sir.” 

“How many bills has the firm out to collect, 
should you say?” 

“I should say from the hasty examination I 
have been able to make the firm has from five 
thousand to ten thousand dollars due it.” 

“I should like to ask,” again broke in Mr. 
Whitcomb, “what valuation you put on your 
father’s invention of welding? From the best 
information I can get, that has been the leak in 
the concern.” 

Before Manly could reply one of the bank 
clerks stuck his head into the room, saying : 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


89 


“Sheriff Whitcomb is wanted at the door. 
Some one from Greenwich to see him. ’ ’ 

The officer lost no time in answering the sum- 
mons, and as he left the room Mr. Hildreth said : 

“Do you think your father put much money 
into his experiments, Mr. Sterling?” 

“Not a dollar, sir, of the firm’s money.” 

“I hardly thought so. He considered that 
individual property?” 

“He did, sir.” 

“How much do you honestly believe the firm 
is in debt?” 

“From fifteen to twenty thousand dollars— 
possibly a little more. I cannot tell until I 
know how far Mr. Grasp carried his work. ’ ’ 

“Has your father any money to help carry 
on the business? I mean any personal valua- 
tion?” 

“No, sir.” 

“In order to pay any of the creditors, should 
they demand it, you would have to borrow?” 

Again Manly was spared an answer to an 
embarrassing question by an interruption., 


90 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Sheriff "Viffiitcomb returned hurriedly to the 
room, showing by his looks and manner that he 
was not only excited but exultant, as he cried : 

“Well, this winds up the concern if nothing 
else does. I have just had a claim put in my 
hands for twenty-five thousand dollars, which 
is secured by a mortgage and seized by the cred- 
itors of Matthew Grasp. It seems this Grasp 
has been embezzling to an enormous, amount, 
and if Sterling & Grasp ain’t under water now 
I miss my guess. ’ ’ 

A long, painful silence followed the startling, 
triumphant announcement, while Manly felt 
that this was the avalanche to crush him. 


CHAPTER X. 


MK. WHITCOMB MAKES AN OFFER. 

“You speak in riddles, Whitcomb,” said Mr. 
Hildreth, the first to break the silence. 

“There are none so hard to understand as 
those who don’t want to,” replied the officer 
sharply. “It proves that if Leonard Grasp is 
a rascal he has come legitimately by his dishon- 
esty, if there is anything in heredity. His 
father has proved to be the bigger thief, for 
he has embezzled money to more than fifty 
thousand dollars. It also proves, and we were 
blind not to have found it out, that Matthew 
Grasp had loaned Sterling and his son money 
to carry on this business and secured himself 
by a mortgage on the mills. Now the creditors 


92 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


of Matthew Grasp have ordered me to seize 
everything here, as they believe they can hold 
even more than the mortgage holds, as Leonard 
Grasp’s interests were his father’s.” 

“Preposterous!” exclaimed Mr. Hildreth. 
“It looks as if you were bent on ruining the 
prospects of the boy.” 

“I should think you would give him your 
claim, Hildreth, you are so friendly toward 
him. But we have got to do our duty without 
regard to sentiment. Of course I am sorry for 
Sterling, but this Grasp has only been caught 
in his own toils. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ It seems to me he is far from being caught. 
But this is not the point for us to consider now. 
What we want to decide is the best course for 
us to pursue. ’ ’ 

“Exactly. The rest of you can talk the mat- 
ter over, to your satisfaction. I must see that 
the proper papers are served at once.” 

“Very true. You say this claim is secured 
by a mortgage?” 

“Yes, sir.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


93 


“Look here, Whitcomb/’ interposed Mr. 
Corning, catching the sheriff by the sleeve as 
he rose to depart, “I hope you aren’t going to 
do anything to jeopardize my interest. You 
know I was the first man to move in this mat- 
ter, and, of course, I am to get the first money 
paid back.” 

“You will have to take your chances with the 
rest, ’ ’ replied the officer, as he left the room, the 
distracted Corning following him. 

“Well, this is a pretty mess of fish,” de- 
clared Mr. Bronson. “It begins to look so we 
shouldn’t get much out of it. At any rate, I 
will take twenty-five cents on a dollar for my 
claim.” 

“Don’t say anything rash, gentlemen,” said 
Mr. Hildreth. ,“I allow it looks pretty dark, 
but it is for our interest to move carefully. I 
for one am in favor of letting the business go 
on, only see that everything is run for the best. ’ ’ 

“I think we can stand it if you can, Hil- 
dreth, ’ ’ said Mr. Earning. 

‘ ‘ So can we, ’ ’ said Mr. Cutter. 


94 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“We^ certainly cannot,” replied Mr, Morgan. 
“I shall move for active process. Whitcomb is 
charged to look after our interest. ’ ’ 

Mr. Bronson was equally as anxious to have 
proceedings go on. 

“We know pretty well how Corning feels,” 
declared Hildreth. “But these gentlemen, with 
smaller claims, seem willing to be lenient.” 

“We want to do what is best for all con- 
cerned,” they acknowledged. 

“That is just what we want to do,” said Mr. 
Hildreth. “Now you are all made as secure as 
you can be, and a short delay cannot injure your 
prospects, particularly while the mills are kept 
running. I move we give the boy a few days’ 
respite, during which I have no doubt he will 
be able to fix the matter up so as to run along 
easily. ’ ’ 

The majority of the creditors voting in favor 
of this the meeting then dissolved. 

As soon as the others began to leave Mr, Hil- 
dreth motioned for Manly to come with him, 
saying as soon as they were alone ; 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


95 


“How much money do you think you must ’ 
have to keep on?” 

“Ten thousand dollars, but I do not know 
where I can raise a cent of it. ’ ’ 

“I am glad you have set your estimate so 
high, for it shows you realize your situation.” 

“A portion of these creditors have got to be 
paid in order to continue without trouble.” 

“You are right. You have got to pay up 
Corning, Bronson and Morgan, sure. That will 
take about three thousand, while there will be 
others to swell it to five thousand. Now I think 
I know where you can get the money. At any 
rate it will do no harm to try, and I will go 
and see them with you this evening. ’ ’ 

With this encouragement Manly returned to 
the mills, finding the sheriff still there in con- 
sultation with his keeper. 

Corning was also there, looking more anx- 
ious than ever. 

“You have been a long time coming,” 
greeted Mr. Whitcomb. ‘ ‘ I am waiting to have 
you show me what you can about this process 


96 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


of welding your fatter was at work on. I think 
I know of a man who can finish it to perfec- 
tion.” 

“That was father’s private matter, Mr. 
Whitcomb, and I do not wish to meddle with 
it.” 

“The bigger fool you are then. But it is 
virtually in my hands now and I demand that 
you show it to me.” 

“I feel obliged to refuse you, Mr. Whitcomb, 
for the reason given. ’ ’ 

“Defy me, do you? Seems to me you show 
pretty poor judgment if you want to keep af- 
fairs running along smoothly. Come out here 
a moment,” motioning for Manly to follow 
him aside from the others. 

As soon as they were beyond hearing of the 
others, he said : 

“What is everybody’s business is nobody’s 
business. The fact is I have a proposition to 
make to you in good faith. It is possible with 
plenty of capital and the right man behind it 
something can be made out of that process of 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


97 


your father’s, but it is worth nothing to you. 
Now, I am willing to do this to help you out of 
an awkward situation: Put that little matter 
into my hands and I will fix it with your cred- 
itors SO’ they will not bother you.” 

Manly could not help showing his surprise at 
this offer, and the sheriff hastened to say: 

“You don’t think I can do this. But I assure 
you I have unbounded power over them. If I 
say the word they will let you alone until you 
can bridge over this difficulty. Is it a bargain? 
Please remember the scheme of your father’s 
is worth nothing to you. ’ ’ 

“If it is worth nothing to me, Mr. Whitcomb, 
then it is worth no more to you. Father spent 
many anxious hours over it and I do not care 
to throw it away.” 

“Call it throwing it away, do you?” asked the 
sheriff, showing anger. “I supposed you 
would jump at the chance.” 

‘ ‘ That is where you are mistaken, sir. I pre- 
fer to keep the process in my hands. ’ ’ 

“Your hands? You seem to forget it has al- 


98 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


ready passed out of your hands. You seem to 
forget the ruin and disaster which lies at your 
feet. I can hold you hack from it if you say the 
word. ’ ’ 

“I forget nothing, Mr. Whitcomb, and while 
I wish to thank you for what you may he able 
to do for me, I shall be more grateful if you 
will do what you can for me.” 

Sheritf Whitcomb turned away without re- 
plying, and seeing Kent Knerl, the new fore- 
man, signaling to him. Manly entered the mills 
at once. 


CHAPTER XI. 


THE MESSAGE FROM GREENWICH. 

“I only wanted to put a flea in your ear,” 
said the foreman, as Manly joined him. “That 
man Hawke is just poking his nose into every- 
thing, and he had the audacity to ask for the 
key to the shop where your father’s kit is. I 
didn’t believe you wanted him there, and I 
would not have let him get in anyway. I don’t 
like that feller.” 

“Nor I either, Kent. You did right in not 
allowing him to enter father’s workshop, and I 
am glad I had that door fixed up this afternoon. 
I must see that it is more securely locked. ’ ’ 

Manly could not help thinking of Mr. Whit- 
comb’s eagerness to get his father’s invention 
into his possession. 

LofC. 


100 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“It shows he considers it is worth something, 
and I must guard it with unceasing care. As 
soon as I can get into easier circumstances I 
will see if I cannot finish what poor father has 
been obliged to drop. ’ ’ 

It was hard for him to concentrate his mind 
on a hopeful relief from the network of diffi- 
culty and financial disaster. When he went 
home to his supper he told his mother of the 
mortgage of Matthew Grasp, to find her less 
surprised than he had expected. 

“I knew your father and Leonard had bor- 
rowed money of Leonard’s father, and I do not 
doubt the justice of the claim. Your father had 
very little money with which to start business, 
and his object in taking in Leonard was the 
money the latter could get. Mr. Matthew Grasp 
always seemed to be so honest I cannot realize 
that he was so wicked at heart. I pity poor Mrs. 
Grasp. ’ ’ 

“So do I, mother. How selfish it has been of 
me not to have thought of any one else in our 
misfortune. At any rate, no one; can call a 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


101 


Sterling dishonest. They never shall have that 
reason. ’ ’ 

“Nobly spoken, my son. Adversity can bring 
no disgrace as long as you look it squarely in 
the face with an honest heart.” 

“Father has shown ao signs of getting bet- 
ter?” asked Maply, showing by the way he had 
asked his question he anticipated the reply. 

“No change, Manly. He has sat there all 
day in his chair, never speaking, looking out of 
the window, not even looking up to see what I 
was doing. It is so strange, so hard to bear. ” 

“Let us hope it won’t be for a very long 
time, mother. There, I promised to meet Mr. 
Hildreth at the postoffice, as he is going with 
me to try and hire some money. ’ ’ 

“I am sorry you are obliged to do this, but 
you know what is best to be done. I have heard 
your father speak very highly of Mr. Hildreth. 
They were schoolmates together and great 
friends in their boyhood. There, I will not 
keep you longer.” 

Though they possessed a melancholy interest. 


102 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Manly always felt better for bis* talks with his' 
mother and better fitted to cope with the trying 
scenes surrounding his young life. 

He reached the postoffice at the same? time 
as Mr. Hildreth, when they started at once to 
see the man whom they were hoping might lend 
his financial assistance in this hour of trouble. 

“If we had the money we would gladly let 
you have it,” said Mr. Hildreth, as they walked 
along together, “but if the truth be told we 
have got to borrow to get along ourselves.” 

Though his friend had been too thoughtful to 
say so. Manly understood that the other was 
making a sacrifice of which he had not before 
dreamed in not getting the money due him from 
Sterling & Grasp. 

“If I can get hold of any money I must try 
and pay him a part, ” he thought. 

But if Mr. Hildreth had had his hopes of hir- 
ing ten thousand dollars those hopes were des- 
tined to be speedily lost, for their request was 
met with a firm refusal. 

“Short ourselves,” said the first man they 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


103 


called on. “Sorry, Hildreth, as I would like 
to help your young friend, who seems like an 
honest and deserving youth.” 

“Well, we must try again,” said the latter, 
trying not to show his disappointment. 

But when they had seen three men without 
getting any encouragement, he declared : 

“I didn’t dream of this. Manly. I thought 
Gilpin was sure to let us have it. No doubt he 
has it, hut it is generally the way; when we 
want assistance most it is hardest to find it. 
This is as far as we can go now, and we shall 
have to watch and wait. We may find some one 
yet.” 

“Perhaps I had better see to-morrow if I 
cannot collect some of that money which is 
due us.” 

“It will do no harm, though Whitcomb will 
not let any you get of it remain in your hands. 
Still, if you can get the promise of some 
it will enable you to pay off such creditors as 
Corning. It is unfortunate you have such a man 
as the sheriff to deal with. ’ ’ 


104 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Manly felt the truth of this statement, while 
he at the same time felt that he was fortunate 
to have such a friend as Mr. Hildreth. 

The following day Manly carried out his res- 
olution to see what he could learn of the chances 
of getting some of the money due the firm, but 
everywhere he was met by the same answer. 

Leonard Grasp had already collected every 
dollar that was available. But not a cent of 
this had he turned over to the company. As he 
had been bookkeeper it had been easier for him 
to conceal what he had done. 

Manly was now enabled to estimate that the 
missing member of the firm had in this way 
defrauded the company out of over six thousand 
dollars. 

The startling fact now stared him in the face 
that they could not hope to get a dollar where 
they had looked for so much to help meet the 
indebtedness of the firm. 

A less brave youth must have lost courage 
now, if not before, and have given up the fight. 

“It means complete ruin to father,” he said 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


105 


to his mother that evening. “Whitcomb seems 
to have it all in his hands, even to father’s in- 
vention. I am sure that is worth many thou- 
sand dollars if it can be perfected, and what is 
of still greater account it means the restoration 
of father’s health. Mother, I must— I cannot 
fail to carry this undertaking through.” 

“I hope you will succeed, my son, I hope so, 
but I fear for the result. Everything seems 
against you.” 

Manly had expected to see Mr. Hildreth dur- 
ing the day, but to his disappointment the other 
did not come near the mills. 

The next morning he found Whitcomb al- 
ready at the office when he got there, though he 
had left home early. The sheriff showed by 
his looks that he was in good humor, and after 
nodding to the young master of the iron mills 
he said : 

“I presume you have heard the news, young 
man. Your friend Hildreth is taking a dose 
of the same kind of medicine the physician of 
fortune is administering to you.” 


106 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


“I do not understand you, sir.” 

“Perhaps you do not want to. It is simply 
that Hildreth & Hildreth are under a cloud. 
They have failed ! ’ ’ 

Mr. Whitcomb knew no bit of news he could 
have told would have given Manly much greater 
pain, and he smiled as our hero showed by his 
looks the effect of the announcement. 

“I cannot think they are very deeply in- 
volved, sir. They have been considered sound 
by every one. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ So was Sterling & Grasp, until the truth be- 
came known. You can never tell the real con- 
dition of a firm by the appearance on the sur- 
face of their transactions any more than you 
can a person’s health by the amount of flesh on 
his bones.” 

Manly did not care to continue the conver- 
sation, which had only, bitter fruit for him. He 
felt sorry for Mr. Hildreth, but he could not 
help wondering what effect his failure was to 
have on him. 

‘ ‘ That seven thousand dollars will have to be 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


107 


paid as soon as any,” he thought. He was ar- 
rested from further conclusions by the appear- 
ance of Curly, who looked excited. 

“I want to see you,” whispered the boy, “but 
they mustn’t know I am with you. I will meet 
you down by the lower forge as soon as you 
can come. ’ ’ 

Without stopping for Manly’s reply Curly 
darted away, and mystified over his action, our 
hero followed him* as quickly as he felt it policy. 

He found Curly anxiously awaiting him, and 
at once he thrust a piece of paper into Manly’s 
hand, which did not require a second glance to 
show that it was a telegram directed to him. 

He saw that it was dated at Greenwich, and 
was a request from Mrs. Matthew Grasp to call 
at her home as soon as possible, on important 
business. 

“It’s yours, ain’t it?” asked Curly, eagerly. 
“I couldn’t read it very well, but I knew from 
what he said it was for you, though Hawke said 
he would take it.” 


“How came you by it?” 


108 


FORGE AND FURNACE.- 


“I hope I did right, hut— but I took it out of 
Hawke’s pocket to his coat. You see, he didn’t 
intend to let you know it had come. I hope I 
have done you a good turn. I meant to, sir. ’ ’ 

Feeling that the end justified the means, 
ManH thanked Curly for what he had done, 
feeling more than ever the utter lack of honor 
possessed by the men who were working against 
him. 

‘ ‘ I mean to keep on the watch for you all the 
time,” said Curly, showing that he appreci- 
ated the kind words. “I overheard them say 
yesterday thej’’ were going to put you under. 
I suppose you know what it all means, but I 
don’t.” 

Not knowing what Mrs. Grasp’s object could 
he in sending for him to come to Greenwich, he 
felt that it was his duty to go, as much as he 
disliked to leave. So he hastened home to 
change his clothes and get ready for the jour- 
ney upon which was depending more than he 
dreamed. Could he have foreseen the result he 
must have stood aghast. 


CHAPTER XIL 


FOK THE SAKE OF A HOKSE. 

Before leaving Orecroft Manly saw Kent 
Knerl, to tell of his enforced absence for the 
day, and warned him to keep a sharp lookout 
over affairs. Also to be sure and see Mr. Hil- 
dreth if he should call while he was gone. 

After an uneventful ride to Greenwich, upon 
reaching that city Manly lost no time in start- 
ing toward the fine residence of the late Mat- 
thew Grasp, feeling more anxious to know what 
this sudden visit meant to him as he drew nearer 
and nearer his destination. 

Affairs of slight moment in themselves alone 
—little incidents which seem to have no connec- 
tion with the real purpose in our lives often 


110 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


entirely change the objects and the results for 
which we are striving. Thus a very small mat- 
ter, speaking of itself, delayed indefinitely Man- 
ly’s visit to the Grasp home, if its results were 
not to portend more. 

As he was hurrying along one of the less 
traveled streets leading toward the heart of the 
city his attention was arrested by seeing a 
crowd of people blocking the way at one place. 

In his state of mind he would have gladly 
kept on his course without paying any heed to 
the scene had he been able to push his way 
through the crowd. 

He did manage to get near enough to find 
that the cause of all the commotion and sup- 
pressed excitement was the inhuman treatment 
of a driver of a horse hitched to a job team 
loaded with boxes. The animal, it appeared, 
had refused to draw its big load further, and 
having settled back upon its haunches was stub- 
bornly receiving the furious blows of its master 
with a stolid indifference. 

“I’ll kill you!” yelled the infuriated driver. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Ill 


“but you shall pull this load. Not a box will 
I throw otf.” 

A faint cheer from some of the spectators 
encouraged the excited man to renew his blows 
from a heavy whip with increased fury. 

This served to cause the suffering horse, 
which must have been a very sensitive creature 
in spite of its present stubbornness, to rise upon 
its hind legs, and then to throw itself backward 
until’ the rear wheels stood in the gutter. But 
not a step would the wounded animal advance. 

Finding himself defied and defeated in that 
direction, the hard-hearted man leaped to the 
ground, and, going in front of the horse and 
shaking the butt of the deadly whip in front of 
the bewildered horse, shouted hoarsely: 

“You’ll take this load out of here or you’ll 
never leave these tracks alive ! ’ ’ 

He supplemented this speech with a string 
of oaths, and raised the whip for the blow he 
intended should fell the horse upon its knees. 
It seemed strange there was no man in that 
crowd to interfere, but one and all seemed 


112 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


bound by the horrible fascination of the spell, 
or through fear of the brutal wretch. 

But if there was not a man with the moral 
courage to stay his mad stroke, Manly Sterling 
was unahle to stand a mute spectator of the 
cruel assault. 

A sharp scream of pain from a girlish voice 
somewhere in the midst of the crowd may have 
lent him impetus to spring forward and attempt 
to stop the inhuman proceeding. At any rate, 
before the fearful instrument of torture could 
descend he had sprung to the man’s side, and, 
seizing the uplifted whip in one hand, cried : 

“Stop, sir! You shall not abuse that poor 
horse in that way 1 ’ ’ 

Amazed at this interference, the driver 
wheeled about to face the newcomer. Finding 
him but a youth, his presence of mind, as well 
as his courage, quickly returned, and, snatch- 
ing the whip from his hold, exclaimed : 

“Get out of the way, or I’ll lam you worser 
I hev the boss ! ’ ’ 

Showing no alarm. Manly replied : 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


113 


“Strike if you wish, but you shall not give 
that poor horse another blow.” 

Then the spectators suddenly recovered their 
true sentiments, and a hearty cheer of admir- 
ation for the brave boy rang on the air. The 
man saw that he had suddenly lost sympathy 
with the crowd, and the sight of the undaunted 
youth quietly facing him caused him to quickly 
change his tactics, and he said sullenly : 

“Mebbe you can make thet boss pull that 
load, but I reckon your temper wouldn’t be any 
better ’n mine if you’d fooled with ’im all the 
morning.” 

“You have overloaded him,” replied Manly, 
beginning to stroke the creature’s head. “He 
looks like a fine animal, but he should be treated 
kindly. Kind words are better than blows al- 
ways. ’ ’ 

While speaking he continued to pat the crea- 
ture and to run his hand over its head and neck, 
even rubbing its forelegs and smoothing the 
coat on its body. WTien he had done this for 


114 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


a short time he took hold of its bit and urged 
the horse to start. 

The change which had come over it seemed 
remarkable. Its whole demeanor had suddenly 
changed, and at its youthful master’s words 
it sprang to its work, struggling for all it could 
in its efforts to move the load. Three times 
the noble creature slipped and sank upon its 
knees, to rally each occasion to put still greater 
effort into its task, until the heavy wheels be- 
gan to roll out of the gutter, and trembling in 
every limb the horse gained the middle of the 
street, when Manly allowed it to stop and rest. 

Cheering louder than ever, the spectators im- 
mediately began to disperse, feeling that they 
had no further interest in the scene. But the 
strangest part was yet to come. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


A BOLD REQUEST. 

The trembling horse had barely come to a 
standstill, and, panting for breath, stood with 
bowed head seeking Manly’s caresses, when its 
driver stepped forward, saying: 

“Thank you, sir. I’ll ’low the critter pulled 
well, an ’ I ’ll take him in hand now. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Hold on, Mike ! ’ ’ exclaimed a man who had 
pushed himself forward from out of the crowd, 
leading a girl a dozen years old by the hand. 
“You will never have another chance to use 
that whip of yours on this horse while I own 
him. Call at my office and get the pay due you 
and find employment elsewhere. The man who 
abuses a dumb creature as you do cannot work 
for me.” 


116 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


The man moved back, exclaiming: 

‘ ‘ I should like to see the man who can handle 
him enny better, Mr. Steele. ’ ’ 

“We won’t have any words over the matter, 
Mike. I saw enough of your methods of man- 
aging a horse to show that you are not the kind 
of a driver I wish to employ. I was trying to 
get to you when this brave hoy interfered. Go. ’ ’ 
Without further words the discomfited man 
slunk away, while the gentleman, whom Manly 
saw was well-dressed and evidently a person of 
wealth and consequence, turned to him, saying : 

“Young man, I wish to thank you for your 
kindly interference, and I assure you I appre- 
ciate your favor. Now if you will kindly drive 
the horse up in front of my office I will reward 
you handsomely. Here is my card.” 

Without waiting for Manly’s reply the gen- 
tleman hastened away, still leading his little 
daughter by the hand. Somewhat puzzled by 
this action, our hero glanced at the bit of paste- 
board to find engraved thereon: 


FORGE' AND FURNACE. 


117 


‘‘Rollin Steele, banker, 801 Main St., Green- 
wich. ^ ’ 

In a moment Manly recalled all he had heard 
of this great railroad man and millionaire, with 
business interests all over the country, and a 
power wherever his interests were directed, and 
whose wonderful rise from a poor, bare-footed 
country boy up to his present position was like 
some story from the ^‘Arabian Nights/’ 

Under the circumstances he could do no bet- 
ter than to drive the team to his place of bus- 
iness, as he had been requested, so he started 
at once. 

Mr. Rollin Steele’s office proved in closer 
proximity than Manly had expected, so in a 
few minutes he found himself in front of the 
elegant granite block, all of which was utilized 
for his extended and varied business profes- 
sional ventures, for this millionaire was pos- 
sessed of wonderfully versatile gifts. 

He was standing in the main doorway as 
Manly drove up, and he invited him in. 


118 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“I will send a man to look after the horse. 
I wish to speak with you just a moment.” 

As Manly jumped down from the high seat 
he saw an announcement over the door that was 
destined to change his whole course of action. 
The line read : 

“Money in small and large amounts loaned 
here.” 

“I won’t detain you but a moment, young 
man,” said Mr. Steele, as he led the way into 
his private office, his daughter still with him. 
“It is so seldom I witness such a manly act as 
you have done to-day that I feel I should do 
you an injustice if I did not render some slight 
token of the service you did me by defending 
one of my horses. I never believed in the abuse 
of a dumb brute. Please be seated a moment. ’ ’ 

Manly could do no better than obey, while the 
other turned to his desk and began to write. 

“Let’s see, your name, young man?” 

“Manly Sterling, sir.” 

“That has the right ring,” resuming his 
writing. 


FOKGE AND FURNACE. 


119 


“I suppose you heard me scream,” said the 
little girl, as if anxious to open a conversation 
on her part. “I do hate to see a poor horse 
whipped in that way, and I was afraid Mike 
was going to strike you. Weren’t you afraid?” 

It seemed to Manly he had never seen such 
a pretty, demure miss- as the fair speaker, and 
he hesitated in his reply, Mr. Steele saying in 
the midst of it : 

“Here, please accept this, with my thanks. 
If you ever want a favor, do not hesitate to 
come to me.” 

As he spoke he held out a check to Manly, 
which the latter saw at a glance was for one 
hundred dollars. But, his countenance swiftly 
changing color^ he managed to stammer: 

“I thank you, Mr. Steele, but I do not wish 
to take it. The taking of money for such a sim- 
ple act of duty would seem to cheapen it. ’ ’ 

He had scarcely spoken when Mr. Steele tore 
the check in twain, and threw the pieces into the 
waste basket. 

“Why, papa !” exclaimed his daughter, with a 


120 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


look of wonder, “what made you do that? Per- 
haps he would have taken it if you had urged 
him. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I don’t want to urge any one to break a good 
resolution, Bertie. That was the noblest speech 
I ever heard, and I don ’t want to think it might 
have been broken. Give me your hand. Manly 
Sterling.” 

Somewhat taken aback by this impulsive 
treatment. Manly extended his right hand, which 
was clasped in a firm hold, while the banker 
said: 

“I believe in first impulses and first impres- 
sions. They have always served me well. You 
don’t look like a fellow who would drive a team 
for a living or I would offer you a situation in 
place of the man I have just turned off. But if 
there is any favor I can do for you, do not be 
afraid to ask. It is the bold and aggressive that 
win. ’ ’ 

Though this speech was made in a frank and 
generous spirit, which was shown by the manner 
as well as the words of the speaker, it placed 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


121 


Manly in a trying situation, for he had no de- 
signs upon the other ’s favor. And he was about 
to say so, when the announcement he had read 
over the door flashed through his mind— 
“Money in small and large amounts loaned 
here.” Perhaps this was his golden opportu- 
nity. Should he improve it or let it pass on ac- 
count of the delicacy of the situation? 

Manly Sterling hesitated but a moment before 
he broke the embarrassing suspense by saying : 

“I neither ask nor expect reward for what I 
have done to-day; neither do I intend to take 
any advantage of your great generosity, but in 
the matter of business there is a favor you can 
do me.” 

He was surprised at his calmness, once he 
had begun to speak, and he paused to note 
the effect of his words on the other, who quickly 
said: 

“Name any favor you wish, Mr. Sterling.” 

“It is the favor of a loan of ten thousand 
dollars.” 

No sooner had he uttered the fateful request 


122 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


than he wished it unsaid. In a moment the 
whole demeanor of Mr. Steele underwent a 
change, and in place of the kindly, benevolent 
and humane gentleman of the instant before, 
stood before him the cold, calculating man of 
millions who knew no personal feeling which 
could compromise with his unswerving purpose, 
looking him sternly in the countenance. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


ME. STEELE ’S KEPLY, 

“Why, papa, what has happened?” cried lit- 
tle Bertie Steele, who was the first to break the 
unhappy silence. “What makes you look so 
dreadful? You aren’t mad with this noble boy, 
are you?” 

Mr. Steele’s countenance relaxed a trifle, as 
he gently took his little daughter upon his knee, 
while he said to Manly : 

“Pardon me, young man, but it is possible I 
did not understand you. ’ ’ 

“Excuse me, sir, but the notice over the door 
of money to lend made me overbold perhaps in 
asking you for a loan of ten thousand dollars. 
I am in need of that amount just now. ’ ’ 


124 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“That may be, but it is rather unusual for a 
boy to come in here and without any recom- 
mendation ask for so large an amount. What 
security have you to offer?” 

Manly was forced to hesitate here, for he 
knew only too well, that he had no first-class 
security to otfer. He said, or began to say : 

“If you know Mr. Hildreth of the firm of 
Hildreth ” 

“I know him too well! He is not now good 
for one dollar, though last week I would have 
been glad to have taken his name for twice the 
amount you named. Let me see, who are you 
anyway ! ’ ’ 

“My father is Henry Sterling, and he lives 
at Orecroft.” 

“Ah, I see! Senior member of the firm of 
Sterling & Grasp, ironmonge'rs, but now gone 
to the wall. Those Grasps were enough to run 
any man under. I got pinched a little by the 
old man. Sheriff Whitcomb described the sit- 
uation of the concern to me only yesterday. Said 
he thought he should get possession in a few 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


125 


days. Seemed to think there was a patent partly 
perfected which might prove valuable some time. 
Whitcomb is a pretty sharp fellow. I under- 
stand the creditors are not going to get more 
than twenty-five cents.” 

“They won’t, sir, under Mr. WTiitcomb’s man- 
agement, I assure you.” 

“So you don’t like Mr. Whitcomb? That is 
natural, I suppose; a sheriff isn’t apt to make 
any friends. I am glad to have met you, Mr. 
Sterling, and I hope you will come out all 
right.” 

At this point the banker turned back to ex- 
amining his papers and Manly understood as 
well as if he had been told in so many words 
that the interview was at an end. He realized, 
too, that Mr. Whitcomb had prejudiced Mr. 
Steele against anything he might say. He 
would have left the oflSce without saying any- 
thing more than ‘ ‘ Good day, sir, ’ ’ had not Ber- 
tie rushed impetuously to his side, and catching 
him by the hand, exclaimed : 


126 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


'‘Don’t go until I have spoken to papa, 
please.” 

He found it hard to refuse so winsome a re- 
quest, and while he stood a silent spectator, she 
flitted to her father, and throwing her arms 
around his neck, said : 

“I think you are real naughty, papa, there! 
He seems so honest and he was so good to not 
let Mike beat Charley.” 

“Tut-tut, Bertie! that is all well enough as 
far as it goes. But your little head can’t see 
the line between business and sentiment. I shall 
have to send you home if you are going to bother 
me with your childish notions. ’ ’ 

“Papa, couldn’t you give him ten thousand 
dollars and not miss itf” 

“That isn’t a business question at all, my lit- 
tle teaser. But I might as well let you tell your 
story, Mr. Sterling, as to let the little girl oc- 
cupy my spare time. I can give you fifteen min- 
utes to say what you wish.” 

“I won’t detain you as long as that, Mr. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


127 


Steele, and I wish to thank you for your kind- 
ness.” 

Then, in a few well chosen words. Manly told 
his story regarding the situation at Orecroft, 
without trying to make it appear any better than 
it was. 

“I must say, Mr. Sterling,” said the banker, 
when he had finished, “that if you are as hon- 
est as you are frank and bold I would not hes- 
itate to trust you. What did your father do 
before he started in the iron business, for as I 
understand you he has not been long in that.” 

“Less than five years, sir. Before that he 
was a brick-maker.” 

“He had great faith in his invention you 
think? Of course I need not ask that question, 
for all inventors are confident of grasping a for- 
tune. Is it really near completion?” 

“It is, Mr. Steele.” 

“Do you think you could finish it?” 

“I do, sir. Or if father should get well he 
could certainly.” 

“You say this does not belong to the firm?” 


128 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“It does not, though Mr. Whitcomb claims 
that it does. ’ ’ 

“I understand. But, if I understand, unless 
you can clear Matthew Grasp’s creditors you 
are going to lose. However, I wouldn’t advise 
you to give it up without a fight. There it is 
again. It takes money to fight money. If you 
had ten thousand dollars what would you do 
with it?’’ 

“I should pay those creditors who are clam- 
oring for their money, keeping enough to run 
the business with until I could get off the big 
contract on hand. ’ ’ 

“Exactly. That might work if Hildreth was 
on his feet. As it is, I do not see as it would 
help you a particle. The fact is, according to 
your words, you have got to clear about twenty- 
five thousand dollars at once, and as much more 
at the end of the year, and you can’t offer any 
security that is worth a snap of the finger. Isn’t 
that about so ? ” 

“In some respects, sir. But the stock is paid 
for to fill this contract for fifteen thousand dol- 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


129 


lars, and I calculate to clear at least ten thou- 
sand dollars on that, which, with the amount I 
want to borrow, will nearly pay the claims now 
due against the company, and I shall have nine 
months left before the mortgage becomes due 
to get something toward that. I can certainly 
pay the ten thousand dollars I have hired. The 
property is good security to raise the money to 
pay up the Grasp claim. I don’t want to hire 
this money for less than a year. ’ ’ 

“You get at it like an old hand. I suppose 
you have this invention in your mind all the 
time ? ” 

“I am very confident, sir, that inside of six 
months I will have that so it will be in shape 
to command a price. If it is the success I be- 
lieve it is going to he, it will soon pay every 
dollar of indebtedness against Sterling & Grasp 
and a handsome income for years to come. 
But I do not speak of this because I am depend- 
ing on it to help me out of this trouble. I base 
every calculation on making the mills lift the 
burden. ’ ’ 


130 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


‘ ‘ I like the way you size it up, but it is a big 
burden for a boy to lift. I don’t want to dis- 
miss you hastily, for your candor has deserved 
my consideration. I don’t think it would be a 
business-like policy for me to let you have the 
money to-day. If I conclude to let you have it 
I will telegraph you at Orecroft to-morrow at 
six o’clock in the afternoon. Meanwhile, if you 
can find any one to let you have it, don’t let the 
opportunity pass. Good day, Mr. Sterling.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


A CEISIS IN AFFAIBS. 

Peeling perhaps more than ever the hopeless- 
ness of his situation, Manly went out of the 
banker’s office and hastened toward the home 
of the late Matthew Grasp. 

He had never met Mrs. Grasp before, but he 
found her very pleasant, though nearly heart- 
broken over her recent afflictions. She had 
heard nothing from Leonard, and anxiously 
questioned Manly in regard to her son’s defal- 
cations. 

“I am sorry for your father, who is a good 
man, and I am sorry for you, as well as for my- 
self and Leonard and all. It seems like a hor- 
rible dream, and I cannot think but that my son 


132 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


will come home yet and make it all right. It 
was not my teachings which caused him to do 
this. I am very glad you have so kindly come 
to see me, and I hope you will come often. Keep 
me posted, and if there is anything I can do I 
will do it.” 

So Manly’s visit to Greenwich was of no ap- 
parent good, and he could not help regretting 
that he had lost so much time at home which 
meant so much to him. 

Just how much he did not realize until he had 
reached the mills, which he did a little before 
night, to find a half dozen men gathered about 
the office and talking in an animated manner. 

Sheriff Whitcomb was among them, and Man- 
ly heard his loud voice saying : 

“It is the only course you can pursue, Hawke, 
and I authorize you to go ahead and discharge 
the man. Perhaps that will bring him to his 
senses. ’ ’ 

“I shall appeal to Mr. Sterling as soon as — 
hilloa! Here he is now!” 

It was Kent Knerl speaking, showing by his 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


133 


manner that he was laboring under great ex- 
citement. 

“Manly Sterling, you haven’t come any too 
soon. These shameless robbers have been play- 
ing a high hand since you went away. ’ ’ 

“What is it, Kent?” 

‘ ‘ They have discharged me ! ’ ’ 

“Discharged you! For what reason and 
under what authority!” 

“For disobedience of duty, young man,” 
Whitcomb hastened to say, “and under my or- 
ders. If I am not boss here I should like to 
know who is. ” 

“But you promised to give me time to fix up 
affairs so they could he run — ” 

“Fudge! an agreement made with a minor 
is of no consequence. Beside, what utter non- 
sense it is to fool away time and money with 
you when you know yourself you can not spin 
a thread. I have discharged this sniveling fool 
and I — ” 

‘ ‘ Be careful what you say, Clint Whitcomb I ’ ’ 
broke in Knerl. who was trembling from 


134 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


head to foot, “ or I shall forget that you are an 
officer. I can stand honorable treatment, but 
the worm will turn when — ’ ’ 

“Hush, Kent,” interposed Manly, who could 
see that the sheriff was exulting over the out- 
break he had aroused, and was only waiting for 
an excuse to resort to violent measures. 

Unobserved by any of the little crowd of spec- 
tators in their excitement, a newcomer had ap- 
peared upon the scene, and stood listening to 
the animated, angry remarks, until' a lull in the 
sharp conversation allowed him to say : 

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I am anxious to 
see the master of Orecroft iron mills, if he is 
handy. ’ ’ 

With one accord every person turned an in- 
quisitive gaze upon the speaker, who proved to 
be a stranger to all. He was a man of forty 
years of age, with clear-cut features, blue eyes, 
a skin browned by long work over the forges 
and furnaces of an iron mill, and a figure of 
medium size, but well knit and compactly built 
in every joint. In short, he looked like one who 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


135 


was not to be easily deterred from his purpose. 
He wore the plain suit of a workman, and its 
liberal coating of grease and grime showed that 
it had seen the best part of its service. 

“I am an iron worker,” he continued, as the 
others hesitated to speak, “and I am looking 
for a job. I have good recommendations with 
me,” pulling a soiled sheet of paper from an 
inner pocket as he finished speaking. 

‘ ‘ I calculate I am as much master here as any 
one, ’ ’ declared Whitcomb. ‘ ‘ Who are you ? ’ ’ 

“I am iron by trade, iron by business, iron by 
nature and iron by name— Nathan Irons, sir, at 
your service.” 

“Pig iron, I should say,” said W^hitcomb 
with a laugh. “I have just been turning off 
help instead of hiring. ’ ’ 

“I might take his place, sir,” replied Irons, 
respectfully. 

“Ha, ha! that’s a good one. This man was 
boss oVer the entire works, Mr. Nathan Irons.” 

‘ ‘ I don ’t doubt it, sir. I have been boss where 
there have been more hands than you can pos- 


136 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


sibly employ here. Is your name Sterling?” 

‘ ‘ I hope not. No, sir ; I am Sheriff Whitcomb, 
Mr. Irons.” 

“Why I asked,” said Mr. Irons, showing no 
surprise at the officer’s words, “was from the 
fact that I was told to inquire for Manly Ster^ 
ling, being master of the mills.” 

“That youngster standing there is Mr. Ster- 
ling, ’ ’ replied the sheriff. “ As to his being mas- 
ter, that is passed. If you want to go to work, 
step this way, so I can talk with you alone.” 

Mr. Irons obeyed, and he was in close conver- 
sation with the sheriff for fully half an hour. 
At the end of that time they rejoined the crowd. 
Sheriff Whitcomb saying to his keeper : 

“I am pleased with Mr. Irons, and I have 
concluded to put him in charge to look after the 
men. If you find anything about him you do 
not like, report to me. You can begin your du- 
ties to-morrow, Mr. Irons. ’ ’ 

For the first time, then, Mr. Irons, the new 
boss, spoke to our hero. 

“Mr. Whitcomb has explained the situation 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


137 


to me, Mr. Sterling, and I trust this arrange- 
ment will be agreeable to you.” 

Feeling that for the time he had been out- 
generaled, Manly said: 

“I shall not object now, but if I bring about 
the adjustment of affairs as I expect, I shall not 
consider myself bound to retain you unless I 
think best. ’ ’ 

“That’s fair. I shall endeavor to make my- 
self so useful that you will want me perma- 
nently. ’ ’ 

Manly was forced to confess that evening to 
his mother that he had lost ground during the 
day. He felt the loss of Kent Knerl more than 
he cared to show, but he seemed powerless to 
help himself. ' 

‘ ‘ There is one thing certain : I can do nothing 
effectual until I get some money. "Where I am 
going to get that I cannot tell. To-morrow is 
the last day of grace with me, and what makes 
it worse it is Saturday. ’ ’ 

“Mr. Steele was to let you know his decision 
to-morrow, I think you said. ’ ’ 


138 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“Not until six o’clock. It won’t do for me to 
depend upon him. If Whitcomb would only let 
me keep the mills running I believe I could get 
a foothold. It is singular Mr. Hildreth has not 
been near me for two days. ’ ’ 

The next day, one that Manly has never for- 
gotten on account of the great crisis in affairs 
that it brought, found Nathan Irons, the new 
boss, promptly on hand, and he entered upon his 
duties with what seemed a good understanding 
of his situation. 

He spoke quite friendly to Manly, but de- 
clared that certain changes were needed in order 
to get the best results, both as to quality and 
quantity of work. 

Sheriff Whitcomb was also early at the mills, 
closeted with keeper Hawke. 

The day dragged without any material change 
in the situation. Manly made no further at- 
tempt to borrow money, for there was no one 
he knew to ask. In the afternoon he got a short 
letter from Mr. Hildreth, which expressed re- 
gret at his inability to come and see him, but 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


139 


hoped he would be able to do so the first of the 
week. 

Whitcomb seemed very much pleased with 
the new boss, and spent half of the afternoon 
with him consulting on one matter or another. 

Mr. Fulton came to the mills half an hour be- 
fore his time to take charge for the night, when 
Sheriff Whitcomb motioned for him and Manly 
to come into the office. 

As Manly obeyed he saw Corning and two or 
three others drive into the yard. He felt that 
the crisis was near at hand. 

“Well, Mr. Sterling,” began the officer, in his 
pompous, arrogant way, “the time you asked 
for is up. I would like to know if you are pre- 
pared to meet your creditors as you promised.” 

“Why need you ask that question, Mr. Whit- 
comb, when you know my situation? If you will 
only give me reasonable time I am sure— ” 

“Do you take me for a fool, young man? I 
have parleyed with you beyond all reason. 
Either pay up your creditors, as you agreed. 


140 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


before six o ’clock, or I shall see that these mills 
are shut down at midnight.” 

The sheriff had barely finished speaking be- 
fore the town clock began to strike the hour of 
six. 

As the last sound died away Whitcomb ex- 
claimed exultantly : 

“That clears my skirts. Look here, Fulton, 
when the clock strikes twelve to-night do you 
see that every furnace fire is banked and all 
work is suspended. Business at Orecroft iron 
mills is over, until new hands are at the helm. 
Keep a sharp lookout here, David, but you need 
not bother about looking after Sterling’s private 
rooms, as I have ordered an extra man on duty 
there. I must leave you for a little while.” 



Manly reached the fallen tree just as his father stepped 
upon its slippery trunk. 


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CHAPTER XVI. 


MANLY FINDS HIMSELF WITH MILLIONAIRES, 

As Sheriff Whitcomb turned to leave the place 
Manly felt a hand laid lightly on his shoulder, 
and heard a voice whisper in his ear : 

‘ ‘ Some one outside wants to see you at once. ’ ’ 

Thus, instead of replying to the officer, as he 
had intended to at first, the young master of the 
iron mills looked around to find Nathan Irons 
beside him. 

“He says he cannot wait,” said the new boss 
in a low tone. “I did not ask him his name, 
but you had better not keep him waiting. You 
can ’t mend matters by arguing with the sheriff. ’ ’ 

Manly realized this, and, wondering who it 
was wishing to see him, he pushed his way 
through the crowd and left the building. 


142 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Mr. Whitcomb was unhitching his horse and 
preparing to ride away, though our hero did 
not give him a second glance, as he saw another 
carriage drawn up a short distance away. He 
recognized the team as belonging to one of the 
local liverymen, but the occupant of the vehicle 
was not seen plainly enough to be recognized. 

Anticipating that he was the one desiring to 
see him, Manly went that way, saying as he ap- 
proached the carriage : 

“Are you the gentleman who wishes to speak 
to me, sir?” 

“Certainly, Mr. Sterling; jump right in here. 
I suppose you are surprised to see me here, hut 
I had a little matter I wanted to see Mr. Morgan 
about, so I thought I would see you at the same 
trip. ’ ’ 

Manly’s astonishment may he imagined at 
finding himself in the presence of Rollin Steele, 
the millionaire hanker. 

In an instant the thought flashed through his 
mind : 

‘ ‘ He is going to let me have the money ! ’ ’ 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


143 


Murmuring his thanks and pleasure at meet- 
ing him thus unexpectedly, Manly took a seat 
beside the other, who immediately drove away 
in front of the sheriff. Not recognizing Mr. 
Steele, Mr. Whitcomb must have been very 
much surprised and puzzled to know who he was 
and what Manly’s departure with him meant. 

“How are you getting along!” asked Mr. 
Steele. 

“There is no light, sir. Sheriff Whitcomb 
has just ordered the mills to be shut down at 
midnight. ’ ’ 

“As soon as that. Didn’t he promise Hil- 
dreth to wait until Monday ! ’ ’ 

“To-morrow being Sunday I suppose he acted 
sooner. ’ ’ 

“I see. I take it that is Whitcomb behind 
us!” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“I hope he did not recognize me. In fact, 
I didn’t care for any one about the premises to 
know me, so I asked the first person I saw to 
send you out. I telegraphed to Morgan to meet 


144 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


me at his office this evening, and we will go there 
at once.” 

‘ ‘ I think you are very kind, Mr. Steele, ’ ’ said 
Manly, not daring yet to broach the subject up- 
permost in his mind. 

As they approached the bank it became evi- 
dent that the sheriff was endeavoring to keep 
sight of them, though of course it may have 
been purely an accident that he left his home- 
ward direction to follow them. 

“Well, I am not ashamed for him to know I 
am here,” said Mr. Steele. “You still think 
you can pull through with ten thousand dollars, 
Mr. Sterling?” 

“Yes, sir, with the business prospect ahead.” 

“I hope you will, for I have decided to let 
you have that amount.” 

The words, which meant so much to him, were 
spoken so carelessly that Manly could hardly 
credit his senses for a time. Before he could 
reply the hanker stopped his horse in front of 
the hank building, saying ; 

‘ ‘ Here we are, and I believe I can see Morgan 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


145 


in there waiting for us. If you will kindly hitch 
the horse, I will ascertain if such is the fact. ’ ’ 

At that moment Mr. Morgan opened the door, 
and while Sheriff Wliitcomb, with his head 
thrust out of his carriage so he could see what 
was taking place, drove past. Manly followed 
the two millionaires into the bank with feelings 
that would be hard to describe. 

The bank president showed his surprise upon 
seeing our hero with Mr. Steele, but he said 
nothing, merely bowing stiffly to the young mas- 
ter of the iron mills. In the little private offlce 
Mr. Parton was found awaiting them. 

He came forward, and, after shaking hands 
with Mr. Steele, unhesitatingly offered his hand 
to Manly. 

“Glad to meet you and hope you are getting 
along well. ’ ’ 

“Before we proceed to the business between 
us, Morgan, I have a little matter I wish to con- 
clude with Mr. Sterling. Excuse me. if I take 
this scrap of paper. ’ ’ 

The banker then began to write hastily a com- 


146 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


mon promissory note, saying, when he had fin- 
ished : 

“There, if you will sign that, Mr. Sterling, 
and Morgan and Parton will witness it, our bus- 
iness will soon he completed. ’ ’ 

With these words he laid a draft upon the 
table for an amount equal to that called for by 
the note. 

Mr. Morgan glanced at both, and then he fair- 
ly gasped ; 

‘ ‘ What are you doing, Steele ? ’ ’ 

“Simply trying to help the boy out of a cor- 
ner. He has asked me for a loan of ten thousand 
dollars for one year, and I have concluded to 
grant it.” 

‘ ‘ But what security do you get ? ’ ’ 

“All that I ask— the two words comprising 
his name. ’ ’ 

“Are you in your right mind, Steele? Of 
course it is none of my business, but we have a 
claim against Sterling & Grasp we should be 
happy to settle for twenty-five cents on a dol- 
lar.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


147 


“Which you will not be called upon to settle 
at such a sacrifice, Morgan. I don’t think I am 
noted for making bad investments, and I do 
not believe I am mistaken in regard to the cap- 
ital of this young man’s courage and honest 
ability. If I am I ought to lose. I am willing 
to take my chances. I have noticed that it is 
not riches, it is not show, it is not activity, it is 
not even intellectual force which wins men pres- 
tige, but an inherent self-command, an uncon- 
scious undercurrent of firmness and foreordina- 
tion in times that try the patience and power of 
men. He who commands the world first com- 
mands himself, with a title kings dare not dis- 
pute. Gentlemen, the strong man governs his 
opportunities; the weak man is governed by 
them. 

“I have seen this young man improve oppor-' 
tunities which must have intimidated less bold, 
aggressive, manly spirits. I am going to test 
him now. Please sign the note as I have di- 
rected.” 

N Without further delay Manly affixed his sig- 


148 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


nature to the note as principal, while the pres- 
ident and cashier of Orecroft bank wrote their 
names as witnesses. 

When this had been done, Mr. Steele held out 
his draft, saying ; 

“Here is what will bring you your money. 
Of course yon can do as you think best, but it 
might be as well for you to let Mr. Morgan ar- 
range it so you can get your money when you 
want it. Though it is out of regular hours of 
business, I have no doubt but he will fix it so 
you can have what money you want to use this 
evening without objection.” 


CHAPTER XVII. 


STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF MANLY ’s FATHER. 

“Certainly, certainly,” President Morgan 
hastened to say. “I shall he most happy to ac- 
commodate Mr. Sterling in any way I can. ’ ’ 
Manly was both surprised and pleased at the 
sudden change which had come over the pom- 
pous bank official. For the first time in many 
days he felt his old time buoyancy and that the 
load was lifted from his mind. Perhaps it was 
better for him not to understand then how se- 
curely the drag-net of cunning schemers had 
been thrown about him. His ignorance of this 
gave him a brief respite and a chance to gain 
strength for a renewal of the trying struggle 
for a supremacy. 


150 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


‘ ‘ It might be a good thing for you to take Mr. 
Parton with you, as I suppose you are anx- 
ious to unload your burden as soon as possible,” 
said Mr. Steele. 

The cashier quickly signified his willingness 
to do anything he could, and Manly thanked 
both for their kindness. But as he started to 
leave the building, having first made arrange- 
ments to square the bank’s account the first 
thing Monday morning, Mr. Steele followed him 
to the door. 

‘ ‘ I have one thing more to say to you. Manly 
Sterling, which I wished to say to you alone. 
While I have willingly done so much for you, I 
wish it to he distinctly understood that I do not 
feel like letting you have another dollar, not 
even if you should come to me on your knees, 
and I knew that by doing it I should save myself 
from the loss of what I have loaned you. I 
frankly confess that I do this, not from a bus- 
iness standpoint, but from a whim, a caprice, an 
experiment. I want you to understand that you 
have got to rely on yourself hereafter, let come 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


151 


what may. I can tell you that there is more 
coming than you dream of. I thought it was no 
more than fair I should tell you this much, but 
I hope you will keep me posted as to your suc- 
cess. Good evening.” 

Expressing his thanks in a few feeling words, 
Manly soon found himself alone with Mr. Par- 
ton. 

“I am at your service. Manly. I understand 
there are certain of your creditors you wish to 
pay. I suppose this will have to be done through 
Sheriff Whitcomb or the attorney of the cred- 
itors. Where shall we be likely to find him ? ’ ’ 

“He has gone home now, but he will be back 
to the mills soon, I think.” 

“If we go to his house we shall be quite likely 
to miss him. I have it. Why not send to the 
principal creditors and have them meet us at 
your office this evening. It is short notice, but 
I think the most of them will be, there.” 

“It is just the thing to do, and I will send 
word to them at once. I doubt if Mr. Hildreth 
can get here from Lancaster, his home.” 


152 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“If a dispatch is sent immediately he will get 
it in season to catch the nine o’clock express 
from Lancaster and get here by nine thirty. I 
will look after him and Earning, meeting you 
at jmur office as soon as I can get there. It is 
doubtful if we can get together before nine or 
nine thirty. You haven’t paid off the workmen 
this week!” 

“No, sir. That is usually done about five 
o ’clock. That is, the day help is paid then, and 
the night hands Monday afternoon. Mr. Irons 
knew how matters stood, and he told the men 
accordingly.” 

“How did they take it!” 

“Some growled a little I understand, but on 
the whole they were good-natured. I think if 
Kent Knerl had been there no one would have 
complained.” 

“Well, you will be prepared for them Mon- 
day. They should be thankful for that. But 
we mustn ’t lose any more time. ’ ’ 

Manly had agreed to Mr. Parton’s sugges- 
tions and they separated at once to begin their 


FORGE AND FURNACE 


153 


tasks of notificarion. under ordinary circum- 
stances this might not have been necessary, but 
he felt that he could not move too carefully with 
Sheriff Whitcomb against him. So far the offi- 
cer had acted in a mysterious manner, at times 
being determined to push him to the wall, and 
yet he had allowed him an opportunity to act 
for himself. This he was aware was due to the 
intercession of Mr. Hildreth, who from some 
source had a certain influence over the other. 

His mind was filled with conflicting thoughts, 
the one most often uppermost being that of the 
satisfaction of feeling that he had in a measure 
lifted the burden resting on his shoulders to an 
extent which he hoped would allow him a brief 
respite, if not permanent relief. 

Manly had seen two or three of those whom 
he wished to be present at the meeting, when he 
was obliged to cross the river and pass near to 
his home in order to reach the next man. 

The desire to see his mother and briefly im- 
part to her the good news was too strong for 
him to resist, so he decided to call at his home. 


154 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


He had not been to supper, but in the excite- 
ment of the occasion he had not thought of that. 

He had got in sight of the house, which showed 
dimly in the evening darkness, when he discov- 
ered a woman coming rapidly toward him. 

It did not require a second look for him to 
recognize his mother. She was bareheaded and 
her hasty steps told that she was impelled by 
some great excitement. She saw him almost as 
soon as he had seen her, when she rushed for- 
ward with outstretched arms, crying : 

“0 Manly! Have you seen your father?” 

“No, mother ; what has happened ? ’ ’ 

“He has left the house! He must have been 
gone some time, and I cannot find a trace of 
him. ’ ’ 

“Don’t he alarmed, mother. He is doubtless 
near by. Has he appeared any different to- 
day?” 

“No. But I am afraid he has thrown him- 
self into the river. One of the neighbors saw 
him going that way nearly half an hour ago. 
What if he has drowned himself?” 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 155 ' 

“Let us hope not, mother. I will help you in 
your search for him. First I want you to show 
me just where he was last seen. ’ ’ 

Mrs. Sterling at once started back toward the 
house, and when nearly opposite led the way 
down the rocky land sloping toward the river 
bank, which here overhung the water with a 
descent of nearly twenty feet. 

It was too dark to discover any trace of the 
missing man, but Manly went down to the brink 
of the stream and shouted his father ^s name. 
This was a short distance below the mills and the 
noise and confusion of the iron works with the 
incessant roar of the water-fall drowned his 
voice. 

“If he fell off here he was killed outright,” 
he thought, starting back with a shudder. “I 
must have a light to continue the search. Please 
do not come any nearer, mother. It will do no 
good.” 

“Oh, your poor father. Manly! he has been 
killed!” 


156 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


“Don’t lose courage. I must have a lantern 
before I can look any farther.” 

“I will get you one in a minute.” 

Manly followed his mother back to the road, 
stopping in front of the house until she could 
get the lantern. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


THR PURSUIT IN THE DARK. 

Manly h.ad not waited long for his mother 
before he heard footsteps of some one coming 
up the road at a smart run, and he turned to 
meet the person with curiosity. 

‘ ‘ Hilloa, Curly ! is that you ? ” he asked, as he 
recognized the other. “What is the trouble 
now?” 

“0 Master Manly! I am so glad to find you. 
I have just seen your father going over the 
bridge, and he was acting so strange. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Which way did he seem to he going. Curly ? ’ ’ 

“Toward the mills. I did not know that he 
left the house.” 

“This is the first time. Wait a moment until 
I can get a lantern and we will go after him.” 


158 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


By this time Mrs. Sterling had procured a 
light, and as Manly took the lantern he said : 

“Father has been seen, mother, so cheer np. 
He was going over the bridge toward the mills. 
I will soon get him home. Do you go into the 
house and wait until I come. Oh, mother! I 
must tell you that I have got the money to pay 
off the creditors and the prospect looks bright.” 

“lam so glad. Manly. But hasten after your 
father.” 

Without further delay Manly started down 
the road at a rapid gait, closely followed by 
Curly, 

As they approached the mills Manly natur- 
ally turned his gaze in the direction of his fa- 
ther’s workshop, something seeming to tell him 
that he would find him there. 

“It is the most reasonable place for us to look 
first,” he said, leading the way in that direction. 

Save the rumbling of the machinery and the 
steady thunder in the distance of the tumbling 
river no sound fell on their ears as they drew 
near the dark walls of the building. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


159 


Suddenly Manly exclaimed in a low tone : 

“The door is open! He is in there. Poor 
father! I suppose his mind— ” 

He had reached to within a short distance of 
the open door, when his feet had tripped over 
something in his pathway and he fell to the 
ground, breaking the glass globe of the lantern 
with a sharp crash. 

Fortunately the light was not extinguished, 
and quickly regaining his feet he looked more 
closely upon the object which had caused his 
mishap. 

The sight brought an exclamation of horror 
to his lips. 

It was the prone figure of a man lying there 
as if dead ! 

He recognized him as the watchman Sheriff 
Whitcomb had put on guard over the apartment 
containing his father’s models and preparations 
of his new method of welding. 

He had barely seen this when a gust of wind 
extinguished the light, leaving him and Curly in 
the dark. 


160 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Who had struck this man down at his very 
post of duty was the first question coming into 
his mind, and with the horrible realization that 
his father was in some way responsible for the 
deed he peered anxiously into the building. 

It was too dark for him to see anything within, 
and not a sound came from the place. 

“Father!” he called, receiving no response. 
Then he entered the room, stumbling over the 
things thrown promiscuously upon the floor, but 
he looked in vain for his father. 

He was just coming out when Curly ex- 
claimed : 

“Look, Manly! I see him going toward the 
river. There, in that bar of light, you can see 
him quite plain. ’ ’ 

Manly had caught sight of his father’s re- 
treating form, and he started hastily in that di- 
rection, saying to Curly : 

“Run up to the office and tell them Hartland 
has been hurt.” 

If he thought at first to quickly overtake his 
father he soon found his mistake, for the other 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


161 


moved with a celerity he could hardly equal. 
But to his relief he soon saw that he was not 
seeking the river, but was following along the 
bank in the direction of the bridge. 

Satisfied that his father was going toward the 
road where it reached the bridge, Manly at once 
turned to his right and in the direction of the 
roadway leading to the mills, thinking he should 
be able to intercept his parent before he had 
reached his objective point. 

Though in the darkness he could make hut 
indifferent progress over the uneven surface of 
the bank of the stream, it might have been better 
for him had he followed that course, for as he 
came back into the road he saw a man whom he 
quickly recognized as Crush Curlew coming 
that way. 

The latter saw him at the same time, and he 
cried : 

“HoP on there, boss ; wot d’ye mean by hoi ’in’ 
back a feller ’s wages ? Stop, I say ! ’ ’ 

“I can’t now. Crush. I will see you—” 

‘ ‘ I want my pay. Hoi ’ on ! ” 


162 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


In his anxiety to overtake his father, Manly 
did not dare to stop to say more. But as he 
hurried ahead the angry ironworker followed as 
fast as his clumsy gait would allow. 

The short pause had enabled Mr. Sterling to 
gain the bridge ahead of his pursuer, and he in- 
creased his flight now he had reached an easier 
course. 

Manly was near enough to see that his father 
was carrying something in his arms, but feeling 
certain his destination was home, he did not 
follow as closely as he might otherwise have 
done, until, to his dismay, he saw him turn into 
a path leading down the stream. 

Along this winding track Mr. Sterling went 
with rapid steps, in spite of the darkness and 
the burden he bore. 

Manly now quickened his steps, while Crush 
Curlew followed upon his heels. At this mo- 
ment wild, angry shouts came from the direction 
of the mills, and the young master knew that the 
stark form of Hartland had been discovered. 
He could not help wondering if his father had 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


163 


committed the act what the consequence would 
be. 

But he was not given any time for speculation, 
for at that moment he suddenly discovered his 
father’s destination. 

A dozen rods below the road and standing on 
the brink of the high rugged bank, overhanging 
the river, was an old, deserted building, which 
had been long unoccupied. Since it had been 
built a freshet of the stream had eaten away a 
portion of the river bank, so the lone structure 
stood on a island to be reached by crossing over 
a fallen tree, which had been thrown down by 
the same flood in such a manner that its roots 
remained on the mainland while its top rested 
on the island. 

Manly had crossed this narrow bridge a few 
times with other boys, but had found it an ex- 
tremely difScult and dangerous feat even by 
daylight. Now, as he saw his father evidently 
bent upon following the hazardous way, he 
bounded forward to stop him. 

“Hi, there!” crieil Curlew, “give me my 


164 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


wages,” and the half-drunken man tore madly 
ahead in the track of his intended victim. 

“Stop, father!” cried Manly, hut to his dis- 
may the other only increased his speed. 

With a few sv/ift bounds, nearly flung to the 
earth by some vines crossing his pathway. Man- 
ly reached the fallen tree just as his father 
stepped upon its slippery trunk and darted out 
over the yawning gulf. 

At the same moment the strong hand of Crush 
Curlew fell on Manly’s shoulder, while he 
hissed in his ear : 

“Give me my wages, b’y, or I’ll fling yer 
inter th ’ drink ! ” 

He tried in vain to shake off the other’s grasp, 
while he saw indistinctly in the night’s gloom 
his father tottering over the chasm. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


“better late than never.” 

With his father tottering over the watery 
chasm and Crush Curlew holding him from go- 
ing to his rescue, it was a critical moment with 
Manly. He, ton, was in imminent danger of 
being hurled headlong into the dark abyss yawn- 
ing at his feet. 

“Release me. Curlew,” he said. “I will ex- 
plain all to you in a moment. ’ ’ 

“ ’Splain, will yer ? ’Splain now. Er bird in 
th’ hand is wuth er whole flock in th’ bush— 
’splain ! ’ ’ 

But Manly was in no mood to trifle with the 
unreasoning man, and giving a sudden twitch 
he sent him reeling backward to the earth. 


366 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Then, before the other could rally, he darted 
along the rounding track afforded by the fallen 
tree. 

The brief delay in his pursuit, however, had 
allowed his father opportunity to reach the 
island, and he stood at the entrance of the ruined 
building as Manly gained the bank. 

For the first time our hero was near enough 
to distinguish the objects in his parent’s arms, 
and he saw to his amazement that he held some 
of the models of his invention. 

He had barely made this discovery when a 
sharp yell from Curlew reached his ears, quickly 
followed by others of a heart-rending nature. 

He soon found that the ironworker had at- 
tempted to follow him, but slipping and falling, 
he then hung above the chasm by clinging to 
the tree for support. His situation was ex- 
tremely precarious, and the least relaxation of 
his hold would cause him to he precipitated 
headfirst into the depths. 

Feeling that his father was safe for a few 
moments. Manly lost no time in retracing his 


FOliGE AND FURNACE. 


167 


course over the narrow bridge until he had 
reached Crush Curlew, who was still calling 
loudly for help. 

“Hold on a moment, and I will try and get 
you to safety,-’ and Manly, taking hold of the 
man’s shoulder and beginning to raise him up. 

“Hilloa! What’s up here?” called out the 
sharp voice of Sheriff Whitcomb, near at hand, 
attracted to the place by the cries of the fright- 
ened Curlew. 

“Help!” replied Manly. “Curlew has fallen 
on the tree in trying to cross to the island. He 
is so heavy I can hardly lift him, standing in 
this treacherous position.” 

Whitcomb and two or three others immedi- 
ately reached the spot to lend tlieir strength to*- 
ward the rescue of the imperiled Curlew. 

“I should like to know what is going on,” de- 
manded the officer, sharply. ‘ ‘ I found Hartland 
nearly killed at his post, and followed after you. 
What have you been doing ? ’ ’ 

“Nothing out of the way, sir. Father has run 


]68 


FORGE AND FURNACE, 


away, and I was trying to get him to return to 
the house. ’ ’ 

“Is that him over there?” asked 'VVniitcomb, 
seeing Mr. Sterling for the first time. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“What is he doing down here? I thought he 
was crazy and helpless. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ He is not in his right mind, Mr. Whitcomb. 
If you will look after Curlew I will get father 
home.” 

“I have an idea I have an interest in your 
father ’s actions. The rest of you look after this 
fool, who doesn’t seem to be hurt, and I will go 
with the boy.” 

As much as Manly disliked to have the 
sheriff’s company, he could not escape his com- 
panionship then, and with him following closely 
behind he crossed over the tree bridge for the 
second time. 

His father still stood in the doorway of the old 
building, with the models in his arms, as the two 
approached him, though he paid no attention to 
them. 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


169 


“Look here, man,” greeted the officer, “what 
are you doing down here!” Then, as he saw 
what the hunted man held in his arms, he ex- 
claimed : 

‘ ' Hilloa ! I see through your game. Stealing 
away the property from the mills. Ha ! I un- 
derstand it all now. It was you who killed Hart- 
land to get him out of your way ! ’ ’ 

Manly felt a thrill of dread at this exclamation 
of Sheriff Whitcomb, and he realized the threat- 
ening aspect of his father’s situation. 

The officer, as he spoke, started hastily toward 
the trembling man, when Manly stepped be- 
tween them, saying : 

‘ ‘ Don ’t be unreasonable with poor father. I 
I will get him home. He is not responsible for 
what he does. ’ ’ 

“Responsible? I’ll make somebody respon- 
sible for all this. He has about killed Hartland, 
and here he is carrying away property belonging 
to others.” 

Manly did not reply to this speech, but taking 
his father by the arm, removed the models from 


170 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


liis grasp, he offering no opposition, somewhat to 
the surprise of both himself and Whitcomb. 

“I will take charge of these,” said the sheriff. 

“You will take them back where they belong, 
sir?” asked Manly, releasing his hold on his 
father to face the sheriff. 

“Yes — yes, for the present. Here, Styles and 
Landers, help the boy get his father over the fal- 
len tree. ’ ’ 

The men quickly lent their assistance, and in a 
few minutes all had safely returned to the river 
bank. 

Crush Curlew had arisen, and was sullenly 
looking upon the scene. 

Then, the three leading Mr. Sterling, who 
made no resistance, and Sheriff Whitcomb fol- 
lowing behind them, with Curlew bringing up the 
rear, the little party proceeded along the path- 
way until the road was reached. 

“Styles,” said Whitcomb, as they paused 
here, “do you go to the house with young Ster- 
ling and his father, and do you remain there 
until I call. Upon the peril of your life do not 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


171 


let the old man get out of your sight for a mo- 
ment. I must return to the mills to complete 
my work there. I can’t tell just yet what to do 
with this man, who is evidently playing a part. ’ ’ 

To this Manly made no reply, but kept along 
by the side of his father until the house was 
reached. There they found Mrs. Sterling anx- 
iously looking for her husband. 

“Where was he. Manly, and what has hap- 
pened?” 

“He had wandered down the river to the old 
building on the island, mother, but he is not hurt. 
We will get him into the house, and then I must 
go back to the mills for a short time. Mr. 
Styles here thinks best to remain with 'him, 
though I do not believe it is necessary.” 

Manly did not have the courage to tell the 
full particulars of affairs, even if he had had 
the time, which he felt he did not. He realized 
that his presence was needed at the mills at that 
very moment. 

“Kindly stay with father and mother until I 
return. I will not be gone longer than I can 


172 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


help, mother, and do not be alarmed. At last 
I see my way clear.” 

With these hasty words he ran out of the 
honse and toward the mills, feeling that every 
moment meapt much to him. 

Upon reaching the yard in front of the office, 
he could see that the room was filled with men, 
while two or three horses were hitched near by. 


CHAPTER XX. 


SETTLING UP. 

Mr. Parton was standing just outside the 
door, anxiously looking for Manly, as he reached 
the place. 

“I was afraid you were not coming,” greeted 
the latter. ‘ ‘ Whitcomb is carrying a high hand. 
What is it I hear about your father and Hart- 
land ! ’ ’ 

“Is Mr. Hartland killed f” 

“No; he will come out all right. But did 
your father assault him?” 

“I do not know that he did. Have the men 
all come?” 

“Yes, excepting Hildreth, and I am looking 
for him every moment. I just heard the train 


174 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


whistle. He can’t be far away. Let’s get to 
business as soon as we can, for they all think 
they have been miserably hoaxed. ” 

At this moment the sheriff pushed his burly 
form through the crowd and faced Manly, ask- 
ing: 

“What is this I hear about paying off the 
creditors of Sterling & Grasp?” 

“I am prepared to settle with a portion of 
them, sir, and to make what I believe will be 
satisfactory terms with the others.” 

‘ ‘ So that is your scheme, is it ? The only sat- 
isfactory terms I know of will be cash. Have 
you fifty thousand dollars, young man, to clear 
this all away?” 

“No, sir; neither do I understand I need to 
have. I am prepared to tender payment to 
those of the creditors who have desired prompt 
settlement.” 

“Who, pray, are the favored ones?” 

“I can pay Mr. Corning in full, Mr. Bron- 
son’s cheek with costs. Cutter, Welch & Co. in 
full. Earning, Dewing & Dunn in part—” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


175 


“Hold right on there, Mr. Sterling. We 
might just as well save this breath. If you have 
got fifty thousand dollars I am ready to talk 
with you. If you have one dollar less it is use- 
less for you to whimper around in this manner. ’ ’ 

Sheritf Whitcomb spoke like a man who felt 
sure of his position. The spectators, who had 
been conversing among themselves in an ex- 
cited manner, suddenly became quiet, looking 
from the speaker to the young master of the 
iron mills, and then back to the unflinching offi- 
cer. It had been noised about that Mr. Sterling 
had singularly aroused from his lethargy, and 
after trying to kill one of the keepers, attempted 
to carry away some of the property. Of course 
the account had been distorted by each teller, 
until it had put our hero and his father in a 
most unfavorable light. 

Manly appeared calmer than could have been 
expected, and he answered the officer in a clear, 
ringing voice, which was plainly heard by every 
person present. 

“You may have authority for all that you 


176 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


say, Mr. Whitcomb, but I want to believe that 
justice will be done in this matter. I am pre- 
pared to pay every man who says he wishes his 
money, excepting the Grasp mortgage, and that 
I will he ready to meet at the end of the year 
of redemption.” 

This ringing reply brought forth a cheer 
from the onlookers, when the sheriff turned 
pale and muttered a bitter malediction under 
his breath. Aloud he said : 

“I have fixed this mortgage Business and 
done what was for the best for my clients. I 
have foreclosed, and shall post a notice at once 
for a sheriff’s sale in two weeks. Now, what are 
you going to do about—” 

“Hold on, Mr. Whitcomb !” broke in the voice 
of a newcomer— a voice very well known to the 
majority, who recognized Mr. Hildreth, who had 
appeared upon the scene in season to hear the 
officer’s remarks. “Mr. Gardner here will in- 
form you that the mortgage is no longer in your 
hands.” 

Then, while the sheriff listened with mingled 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


177 


looks of surprise and anger, a stranger who had 
come with' Mr. Hildreth said : 

“Yes, Whitcomb, we have found some one 
who has taken the mortgage off our hands, so 
you need do nothing more about it. We will 
pay whatever expense it has been. We were 
very glad to unload. ’ ’ 

It seemed a long time before Sheriff Whit- 
comb found speech to reply. 

Mr. Hildreth pressed forward to Manly’s 
side and gave his hand a vigorous shaking. 

“It’s coming out all right, and I am glad of 
it.” 

“Who has taken up the mortgage?” de- 
manded Whitcomb. 

‘ ‘ He does not wish his name to be drawn into 
the matter, but as long as he has advanced the 
money to the creditors of Matthew Grasp we 
do not care who he is. ’ ’ 

“Mighty funny!” muttered the officer. “I 
never knew anything of the kind. ’ ’ 

Mr. AVhitcomb was laboring under a fearful 


178 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


strain of suppressed excitement, which Mr. Hil- 
dreth enjoyed exceedingly. 

“Now for business,” said Mr. Parton. “I 
suppose you wish to pay off the creditors at 
once, Mr. Sterling?” 

“Yes, sir,” replied Manly, with a ring of tri- 
umph in his voice he could not well conceal. 
“I am glad to say I have money to pay the most 
of you. Mr. Corning, I should he glad to take 
up your note.” 

“Whitcomb has jt, but I shall be glad to get 
the money. There was a mistake of twenty 
cents from what Whitcomb reckoned the inter- 
est. I suppose you will rectify all mistakes.” 

“Mr. Parton will see to that.” 

Then, while the latter demanded the note of 
the sheriff, who reluctantly gave it up, our hero 
said: 

“Now, Mr. Bronson, I would like to pay up 
that check.” 

It would be difficult to describe the looks on 
one and all as Manly continued speaking and 
showed that he meant what he said. 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


179 


“Certainly,” said Mr. Bronson, “I am glad 
yon can for your sake.” 

While Mr. Parton adjusted the matter of 
the check, Manly gave his attention to those who 
held claims of varying amounts against Ster- 
ling & Grasp, until every one had been paid. 

Then he turned to Earning, Dewing & Dunn’s 
representatives, saying : 

“I find that I have a little money left. Isn’t 
that so, Mr. Parton?” 

“Yes, sir; a handsome balance.” 

“I can pay you.” 

“Don’t want a cent, Mr. Sterling, unless you 
insist upon paying it. ’ ’ 

“Your firm, Mr. Cutter, has a claim for a lit- 
tle over eight hundred dollars. I do not sup- 
pose you will object to the money.” 

“No, sir; though I leave it with you.” 

“Give hini a check, Mr. Parton. If there is 
another man here who has a claim against Ster- 
ling & Grasp I wish he would step forward. ’ ’ 

Not a man moved or spoke. 

“I will see you, Mr. Earning, the first of the 


180 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


.week, if that will be satisfactory. If you are 
not particular for the money to-night it will 
give me time to get matters straightened out a 
little better.” 

“That is perfectly satisfactory, Mr. Sterling, 
and I hope you will allow me to congratulate 
you on the handsome manner in which you have 
met the difficulty and come out. You have 
shown yourself equal to the occasion, and every 
man of us ought to thank you. I wish you suc- 
cess.” 

Mr. Earning spoke very feelingly, and he was 
followed by another cheer. Sheriff Whitcomb 
improved the opportunity to retreat, and he was 
not seen that night again. 


CHAPTER XXL 


THE HAWK SHOWS ITS CLAWS. 

No one felt in better spirits, Manly not ex- 
cepted, than Mr. Hildreth, who caught the young 
master’s hand and held on until it seemed he 
was never going to let go. 

“This shows you have got some friends. Man- 
ly. You are all right now. ’ ’ 

“I wish to thank you all,” said Manly. “I 
am hopeful that business will continue without 
any break. The help will all be paid Monday 
morning.” 

“I don’t see as you need me any more,” de- 
clared Mr. Parton. “Good evening.” 

“I will call at the bank Monday morning; 
good evening.” 


182 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


The crowd at once began to disperse, though 
Mr. Hildreth remained with Manly. David 
Hawke was another who showed no signs of 
going. He had kept in the background, and now 
he sulked in the corner. The truth was the sher- 
iff had left without informing him of his inten- 
tions, and he was at a loss to know what to do. 
If Manly Sterling had paid the firm’s indebt- 
edness, had he any further business there? He 
resolved to remain. 

Hartland had gone away, groaning over his 
injuries and vowing vengeance. 

As soon as he was alone with Mr. Hildreth 
and they were on their way to our hero ’s home, 
he said : 

“Now if you want some money—” 

“Tut-tut, my young friend; don’t speak of 
that. Hildreth & Hildreth may be in a corner 
for the time being, but they aren’t so hard up 
that you need feel obliged to pay the little owing 
them. If I am not mistaken, you will need every 
dollar you have got and as much more before 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


183 


you get through. Why, your running expenses 
can’t be much less than a thousand a week.” 

“Not much less, that is true, sir. The help 
must be paid promptly.” 

“That is so. But there is another matter of 
which I wish to put you on your guard. Though 
it looks so just now, you have not got rid of 
Whitcomb, and he is coming at you in worse 
shape than before. He is trying to get ap- 
pointed administrator of the estate of the late 
Matthew Grasp, and also manager of Leonard 
Grasp’s interest at Orecroft. He will get the 
appointments, too. Still I do not doubt your 
ability to meet him squarely in whatever attack 
he makes. You see, he is going to take this de- 
feat very much to heart, and you have fairly 
outgeneraled him in the first battle. He ex- 
pected just as much as could be to get the mills 
into his hands for a song. ’ ’ 

“And father’s invention, too.” 

“Just so. But I want to ask if your father 
took out a patent!” 


184 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


‘ ‘ Oh, yes ; and he got so far that he had ap- 
plied for one on an improvement. ’ ’ 

“Now, you have got over this snarl, you will 
see if you cannot finish it?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

Mr. Hildreth stayed until nearly midnight 
talking with Manly before he went to his stop- 
ping place for the night, and both Manly and 
his mother felt in better spirits than they had 
since the ordeal had begun. There was no par- 
ticular change in Mr. Sterling’s condition. 

Monday morning Manly was promptly on 
hand at the mills, his first duty being the pay- 
ing off of his help, which gave great satisfaction 
to the men. When he had done this Nathan 
Irons came forward, saying: 

“I suppose I must relinquish my situation, 
Mr. Sterling, but if I cannot he boss I suppose 
you will let me become a common workhand?” 

“Certainly, sir. Under the circumstances I 
feel that T ought to reinstate Mr. Knerl as fore- 
man, but you shall have a position next to him.” 

Manly was pleased to find that this was sat- 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


185 


isfactory to the other, who went willingly abont 
his new duties at once. 

Kent Knerl was pleased to be given his old 
situation, and altogether affairs started off Mon- 
day morning with good prospects for the week. 
Only one thing now troubled Manly, and that 
was the presence of David Hawke, who showed 
no intentions of leaving. In fact, as soon as he 
became aware that Nathan Irons’ place had been 
taken by another he rushed up to the young 
master, exclaiming: 

“How’s this that that Knerl is put in the place 
of Whitcomb ’s man ? I order you to restore our 
man to his proper position.” 

“Mr. Irons is very well satisfied with his po- 
sition, sir, and I had ample authority to make 
the change. ’ ’ 

Leaving the keeper fuming and fretting, he 
went to the bank, where he was received most 
cordially. Even Mr. Morgan came forward and 
congratulated him on his good fortune. 

“It makes all the difference in the world,” 
thought Manly, “how a fellow is getting along 


186 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


with such men as he. Three days ago, when I 
needed friends, he would not have deigned to 
even look at me, and now, when I am more in- 
dependent, he acts as if he would eat me up.” 

Of course he did not show what was in his 
mind by his actions, and as soon as he had set- 
.tled his account with the hank and found him- 
self with a good margin to his credit, he went 
back to the mills. 

A surprise awaited him there. His father 
had left the house and was in his private work- 
shop seated on his bench, looking about with a 
vacant stare. The models had all been brought 
back and were in their old places. 

Manly was wondering what he should do, 
when old Dr. Wise drove up to the door. 

The physician seemed not displeased at this 
turn in the actions of his patient. 

“Better humor him. If he wants to come 
here every day, let him. It would be a good 
idea if you could be near, or have some one else 
to keep a watch over him.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


187 


“To-morrow I mean to begin to experiment 
on his invention, ’ ’ said Manly. 

‘ ‘ The best thing you can do. It will serve to 
get his attention if anything will. I see noth- 
ing that would indicate a change for the worse.” 

That afternoon, finding he could be spared 
about the mills. Manly commenced his work on 
the new process of welding, his father looking 
on in a listless sort of way, while David Hawke 
came and seated himself in the doorway, main- 
taining a ceaseless vigil over him. 

This unwelcome presence of the other was, 
Manly’s greatest drawback, and he resolved to 
settle matters with him at once. Accordingly 
he laid aside the tools he was using, and, ap- 
proaching the intruder, he said : 

“I would like to know, Mr. Hawke, by what 
authority you continue your watch over every 
movement of mine, and why you do not go away. 
You know very well that I settled up all accounts 
Saturday evening, and your duty here is 
ended.” 


188 


FOEGE AND FUKNACE. 


“Haven’t known of my being discharged, 
have you?” asked the other insolently. 

“It is time you were discharged, and I wish 
to warn you off of these premises, Mr. Whit- 
comb has no longer any authority here, and I 
wish to be rid of your presence,” 

“Lay so much as a finger on me if you dare, 
young man,” said Hawke, advancing, “and I’ll 
complain of you. Eemember I have the law to 
back me.” 

Manly was exasperated by the other’s insult- 
ing manner, and he took a quick step forward, 
when suddenly, with a low exclamation of fear, 
David Hawke stooped, and scraping up a hand- 
ful of soot and dirt from the floor, dashed it 
into his face before he could protect himself. 


CHAPTER XXIL 


WHITCOMB HAS AN INNING. 

His eyes filled with the fine particles of soot 
and dirt caught up from the fioor and thrown 
into his face by Hawke, before Manly could act 
he was forced to brush the cloud of dust away, 
and as he did so a loud peal of laughter rang in 
his ears. 

He knew it was not Hawke’s voice, and when 
he had got his vision clear enough to look about 
him he saw Sheriff Whitcomb standing in the 
doorway. 

Naturally one is prone to resent an insult and 
injury by retaliating with blows, and the young 
master’s first impulse was to give his assailant 
such a sounding thwack with his fist as would 


190 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


send him flat upon his- back. His fist clinched 
and his arm was half raised for the blow, when 
happily some more prudent thoughts came into 
his mind. 

The action of Hawke and the taunting laugh 
of the sheriff told him- plainer than words that 
both were only too eager to get him to so far 
forget himself as to begin an assault. 

As he hesitated, trembling from head to foot, 
but gaining calmness and confidence every mo- 
ment, Whitcomb said : 

“Why don’t you show him that you ain’t 
afraid of him? He ain’t any bigger than you 
and not half as spry.” 

“I don’t wish to be mixed up in any quarrel 
with such as he,” retorted Manly. 

“Bah! that’s always a coward’s excuse. I 
think if a fellow had filled my face and eyes 
as he has yours I would see what I could do.” 

“He insulted and abused me or I should not 
have done it,” said Hawke. 

“I don’t doubt it. He is insolent enough. 
What did he do?” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


191 


“He ordered me off the premises.” 

“Did he dare do that, the puppy? So you 
have your high hand up, eh. Manly Sterling?” 

Manly had turned to wash his face and hands 
from a basin near at hand, and he did not offer 
to reply. 

“I suppose you thought you had got rid of 
me,” continued the officer, “but I would have 
you understand that I am not so easily shaken 
off. I want you to understand that I did not 
put all of my eggs into one basket. I have got 
a right here now you can’t challenge. Read 
that.” 

As Sheriff Whitcomb spoke he handed out 
an official-looking document which Manly saw 
was his appointment as administrator over the 
estate of the Grasps. 

“It is not only the business of Matthew Grasp 
put into my hands, but I am empowered to look 
after the interests of his son Leonard. ’ ’ 

After waiting to see what effect these words 
would have, and finding that Manly was not in- 
clined to reply, he resumed : 


192 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“So you see, your higli-handed way of carry- 
ing affairs must come to an end. I am as much 
in control here now as you. ’ ’ 

Mr. Hildreth had prepared our hero for this, 
so he was not as much surprised as the scheming 
officer would like to have seen him. 

“Well, what are you going to do about it?” 
he asked, with provoking coolness. 

‘ ‘ Going to do ? Why, I am going to have my 
say in running the business. It can’t be all as 
you say after this. I have as much power here 
as you. ’ ’ 

“You may not he aware, or if so, you may 
have forgotten, that Mr. Leonard Grasp did not 
have an interest here equal to father’s.” 

The look which came over Whitcomb’s coun- 
tenance made Manly smile in spite of his efforts 
to appear unconcerned. 

“Not equal ? "Wliat do you mean ? ’ ’ 

“I mean that where father had three dollars 
here he had only one dollar. He had only a 
quarter interest.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


193 


“I believe you lie, young man, but until I find 
out the difference I shall not believe it. ’ ’ 

“That won’t change the situation, sir, a 
whit. ’ ’ 

Whitcomb muttered over something under his 
breath, which Manly did not hear. 

“The first thing I want to tell you,” said 
Hawke, feeling it was time for him to say some- 
thing, ‘ ‘is that this young upstart has ousted our 
boss and put in his old chummy. I warned him 
not to do it, but he went ahead and did it.” 

“Has he dared to put Irons out!” cried Whit- 
comb. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Then the first thing I do will be to put him 
back. Is Irons about the premises?” 

“He’s among the workmen.” 

“Go find him and send him here.” 

When Hawke started on his errand the sheriff 
again faced Manly, saying : 

“We want to start fair and with a good under- 
standing, young man.” 

As Manly made no reply he continued : 


194 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“In the first place I want Irons for day fore- 
man; yon may have the choice of the man on 
at night. I shall let Hawke remain to look after 
my interest, and it might be well for him to 
keep the books. I shall insist on this. I think 
the best thing you can do will be to give your 
whole attention to working on that invention. 
If you can make it work, and there is anything 
in it, we may be able to square up accounts this 
year. How much money did you get of Steele ? ’ ’ 

“I got .it on my own account, sir, so it does 
not matter to you, ’ ’ replied Manly, who was try- 
ing to decide on the best course to follow. 

“Mighty independent, young man. So I un- 
derstand you give it to the firm, and the com- 
pany is not in any way liable for it?” 

“The books will show, Mr. Whitcomb, just 
how much and where I have paid out money, 
and I shall hold the company accountable for 
every dollar.” 

“Well, you needn’t be so uppish about it. 
Halloa! Here comes Mr. Irons. ” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


195 


The sheriff turned to advance toward the 
ironworker, leaving our hero to himself. 

Manly felt a righteous indignation at this ac- 
tion on the part of Whitcomb, and his first 
thought was to defy the other and challenge his 
authority. But calmer second thought caused 
him to act differently, though it might seem the 
weaker course. 

The first thing he did was to find Curly, say- 
ing to him : 

“From this time on I want you to devote all 
of your time and attention to watching father 
and the model in his workshop when I am not 
there. Keep your eyes and ears open at all 
times. ’ ’ 

“ So I will. ’ ’ 

Manly next sought Kent Knerl, quickly ex- 
plaining the situation to him. The latter showed 
great surprise and indignation when apprized 
of the new move on the part of Sheriff Whit- 
comb. 

“Why don’t you get an officer and have him 


196 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


pulled off the premises, and that contemptible 
Hawke with him ! ’ ’ 

“That is easier said than done, Kent. His 
commission seems indisputable. No, Kent, I 
cannot do it without making bad matters even 
worse. You will do a favor for me?” 

“Certainly.” 

“Then you will not think I have turned 
against you if I allow another to be put in the 
place you now occupy?” 

“No. But I see that Whitcomb wants that 
Irons back again?” 

“Yes.” 

‘ ‘ If you can gain anything by letting him have 
his way, let him do it. I would not be a boss 
under him and that Hawke under any circum- 
stances.” 

So it came about that Nathan Irons was re- 
instated as day boss in Orecroft iron mills. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


“a chip of the old block/' 

Sheriil WRitcomb felt elated over Manly ’s ap- 
parent willing consent to have Irons made fore- 
man again. 

“We shall get along famously, I know we 
shall,” he said. “Now you need not let the af- 
fairs of the mills interfere with your experi- 
ments a bit. The rest of us will look after the 
works. ’ ’ 

If the young master made no reply to this it 
was not because his mind was not busy. In his 
heart he was determined that the unprincipled 
sheriff should not outwit him in the end. But 
he had yet to learn how uncomfortable the other 
and his willing tools could make his situation. 


198 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


The following day, when Whitcomb came to 
the mills, he was accompanied by a youth a year 
or two older than Manly, and though a little 
taller, no heavier. The sheriff introduced him 
as his son, saying ; 

“I thought he might be of some help to you, 
Manly. He can help lift the bars of iron and 
wait and tend on you in place of that foolish 
boy I have seen round here. ’ ’ 

“No one can take the place of Curly, sir, and 
when you speak of him as foolish you — ” 

“Excuse me,” the other interrupted. “I 
meant no offense. As he never seems to be do- 
ing anything I naturally thought him incapable 
of work. But the more help the merrier and 
easier for you.” 

Whitcomb spoke and acted with uncommon 
friendliness, and Manly knew he had some ob- 
ject in view. What it was he was not kept in 
suspense long. 

“I have been thinking. Manly, that as you 
have put some money in the concern, and at a 
time when it was very much needed, that it 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


199 


might be well enough for us to sort of fix the 
matter up and have a good understanding be- 
fore the matter becomes too old. How would 
it do for you to take a note from the company 
for what you have put in ? ” 

“I consider that my account will hold, Mr. 
Whitcomb. ’ ’ 

“ Certainly, certainly, but I thought you might 
care to have it fixed a little stronger. There is 
still considerable to pay out, as I understand it. 
Then there is the matter of that patent. How 
would it do for us to draw up a paper showing 
just how that stands. Of course I am willing to 
do what is right. If you will kindly help me to 
make- out the proper papers I will guarantee to 
do all I can toward raising the money to lift the 
company’s debt. Of course neither you nor I 
want this business to drag along for the want 
of sufficient funds.” 

Though Manly was prepared to expect almost 
anything from the wily sheriff, this was so bold 
and open a proposition that he was for a moment 
unable to reply. 


200 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“I don’t know what you may call ‘proper 
papers,’ Mr. Whitcomb, hut I cannot see that 
any papers are needed as far as father’s inven- 
tion is concerned. For the last time I wish to 
tell you that this is a matter which the company 
has nothing to do with. ’ ’ 

“How is it then that he before you, and you 
now occupy quarters in the mills?” 

“Simply as tenants, sir. Father always paid 
rent here and for the power he used. I am will- 
ing to do the same. ’ ’ 

“A mere trifle. Irons tells me we need the 
room. They are cramped for space in the lathe 
department, and if the partition was taken away 
it could be all made into one room.” 

“There never was any complaint, and I am 
sure we are not doing as much in that part of 
the mills as we have at some times in the past. ’ ’ 
‘ ‘ So you refuse to make fair acknowledgment 
to the company, and refuse to get out ? ’ ’ 

“I would get out cheerfully, Mr. Wliitcomb, 
but it would make me considerable trouble and 
cost, when I shall not in all likelihood stay here 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


201 


much longer. I do not think it is called for that 
I should move now. ’ ’ 

“So that patent is nearly finished!” said 
Whitcomb, and without saying more he left the 
place, though his son remained. 

Manly was too busy to give much thought or 
attention to his surroundings, but the presence 
of young Whitcomb, whose given name proved 
to be Silas, was far from being desirable. He 
understood that he had been put there by his 
father as a spy over his work. 

Curly had been allowed to bring as much korl 
as he wished into the shop, and he occupied his 
spare moments in carving out his images, he 
being at work then, upon the figure of the new 
boss, Nathan Irons, for whom he had conceived 
a strong liking. Though he had said nothing 
of it to Manly, whom he felt was having trouble 
enough of his own. Curly was having a most un- 
happy period of existence at home. In addi- 
tion to the ill-treatment of his father arising 
from his excessive drinking, his mother had be- 
come more and more antagonistic to him. It 


202 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


was only when he was occupied over his favorite 
task that he forgot his troubles and was happy. 

It will thus be seen that it was a singular 
quartet which occupied the little workshop from 
early morning until dark— Manly Sterling, un- 
der the cloud of his great anxiety, completely 
absorbed with his experiments, which meant so 
much to him and his parents; Curly, as fully 
engrossed over his work as if he were not merely 
making the dumb figures of men, but were carv- 
ing their fortunes; Silas Whitcomb, moving to 
and fro, peering into everything and watching 
his companions as a cat watches a mouse; Mr. 
Sterling, sitting silently by, looking upon it all 
with eyes that did not see and a mind unable to 
comprehend. 

Sheriff Whitcomb came and went from day 
to day. Irons flitted in and out, while David 
Hawke occasionally stole in with a catlike look 
on his weazen features, until a little incident oc- 
curred which suddenly ruffled the surface of the 
scene. 

Silas Whitcomb had been making himself 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


203 


more than commonly obnoxious during all the 
forenoon, and in the afternoon, while Curly was 
busily at work on the features of his block of 
korl, he took the knife from the young sculp- 
tor’s hand, saying: 

‘ ‘ Let me make the nose a little better. There ’s 
a hump on this side — ” 

“No— don’t!” cried Curly. “You’ll spoil it.” 

“I’ll show you that you ain’t the only one 
who can chip such a face out, ’ ’ said Silas, push- 
ing Curly aside and beginning to cut at the korl 
in a way which showed that he was bent on de- 
stroying the whole. 

The truth was young Whitcomb had been 
seeking for an opportunity to show his author- 
ity, but there was that about Manly, which 
warned him from picking a quarrel with him. 
He felt he had found his grand opportunity now. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


manly’s independence — CTJKLY FINDS HIMSELF 
IN A HARD PLACE. 

Silas Whitcomb felt more bold to interfere 
with Curly for the reason that Manly had 
stepped out and was not expected back for an 
hour or more. ' 

That the young sculptor realized his disad- 
vantage and inability to cope successfully with 
his enemy, who was considerable larger and 
stronger than he, was evident from his fright- 
ened looks, not less than his despairing words : 

“Oh, don’t, sir! I—” 

A shadow at that moment falling upon the 
floor caused both the boys to glance hurriedly , 
toward the door, when they saw Mr. Whitcomb 
standing there. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


205 


Seeing that it was his father, Silas Whitcomb 
returned to his mischievous work, while Curly 
cried : 

“0 sir ! please don ’t let him spoil my work. ’ ’ 

“Look out for your useless stuff yourself,” 
Replied the sheriff, who, seeing with pleasure 
that Manly was not in, gladly improved the op- 
portunity to begin an examination of the young 
ironworker’s models. 

“Yes,” said the young tormentor, getting 
courage from his father’s words, “if you want 
to save your old mummy, pull me off. As for 
me, I am going to see what I can do. If I can’t 
make a better nose than— ” 

Curly, in his desperation, caught him by the 
sleeve and pulled him until he was flung head- 
long into the corner of the shop upon a pile of 
old iron. 

Smarting from the wounds he had received, 
the boy sculptor quickly sprang to his feet and 
returned to the side of the other, who was in the 
act of ruining what had cost him days of hard ^ 
labor to. do. 


206 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Again Curly caught young Wliitcomb by the 
sleeve and again the other tried to fling him 
off, hut this time the desperate hoy clung with 
a hold that he could not easily loosen. 

“Let go, you little rat!” cried Silas Whit- 
comb, maddened by the thought that he should 
be interfered with in his mischievous meddling. 
But the more he tried to throw the other off the 
closer he clung, until in his furious efforts Silas 
stumbled over a pile of iron and fell flat in the 
midst of a lot of rubbish Manly had collected 
in a pile to throw out of the room. 

Curly may have been weaker than his assail- 
ant, but he made up for this in his quicker mo- 
tions, and no sooner had he got his enemy down 
than he was astride his neck. 

“Promise you won’t—” 

“Oh, get out, you eel!” sputtered Silas. 
“You’re breaking my neck! 0 — 0 — Oh! 
father ! pull him off ! ’ ’ 

Absorbed in his hurried survey of Manly’s 
work, Mr. Whitcomb had not paid any heed to 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


207 


the boys, until the frantic cry of his son caused 
him to glance toward them, when he cried : 

“Here, you ragamuffin! Get off my son!” 

But Curly was too much occupied with his 
endeavors to hold his victim down to notice any 
one else, and seeing that no attention was paid 
to his words, the sheriff caught him rudely by 
the collar and lifted him bodily from his son. 

“ I ’ll fling you out of here as I would a puppy, 
and if you dare to come back I will throw you 
out again. I have borne with you here as long 
as I—” 

“Put down that boy, Mr. Whitcomb!” cried 
the ringing voice of Manly Sterling, who ap- 
peared at this moment upon the scene. “Put 
him down, I say.” 

Whitcomb did drop Curly, but he demanded 
angrily : 

“What business is it of yours if I do not. 
Manly Sterling? This young reprobate has 
stayed here as long asjie is going to.” 

The words aroused the fire of Manly’s nature. 
Though he did not know what started the trou- 


208 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


ble he had faith enough in Curly, for whom he 
felt a strong friendship, .to believe that it had 
been thrust upon him. He spoke calmly enough, 
but even the sheriff could see in his excitement 
that every word bore an underlying firmness 
not to be overlooked. 

‘ ‘ Lay your hand on that boy again, Mr. Whit- 
comb, and you will suffer for it. ’ ’ 

“You seem to forget my official position, 
young man,” said the officer, sternly, trying to 
look the brave youth in the eye, but failing mis- 
erably. 

“I wish I could forget that you are anything 
but an honor to it, sir. Curly, what has hap- 
pened ! ’ ’ 

Seeing the likely outcome of the matter, and 
feeling sorry that he had been its cause, the 
young sculptor tried to smootli the matter over 
as much as possible, and Whitcomb tried to in- 
terrupt him, when Manly commanded him to be 
silent. 

“I suppose you think you are supreme here,” 
sneered the sheriff. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


209 


“I am so far master here that I order you 
and your son to leave the place at once, and if 
you dare to cross the threshold again I will have 
you thrown out. I see that you have been med- 
dling with my work; begone, sir.” 

Whitcomb wanted to reply, for a moment was 
evidently considering what his chances would 
he if he objected, then he sullenly went out, mut- 
tering : 

“I shall report you to Irons, young man.” 

Silas Whitcomb followed his father. 

“There, when I go out again, I will lock the 
door. I have borne with meddling as long as I 
can and will. ’ ’ 

“I am sorry if I have caused the trouble,” 
said Curly. 

“Don’t think of that. It has been coming for 
some time. Clinton Whitcomb may have the 
power to interfere with affairs in the mills, but 
he has no business here. ’ ’ 

If he had ever felt it, he now knew there was 
no hope of an amicable settlement with the other, 
but he did not let that trouble him. Soon after 


210 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the sheriff’s departure Nathan Irons came into 
the shop, asking Manly what had arisen between 
him and Whitcomb, when our hero related what 
had happened. 

“I am afraid you went too far,” replied the 
boss, “but you seem to be on your own ground 
here. I am sorry you have done anything to 
embitter Mr. Whitcomb against you. It will 
make it so much worse with you in getting a set- 
tlement.” 

“I hardly think I have made it any worse than 
it was before.” 

Several days passed without any material 
change in the situation. Whitcomb had not 
come near Manly, and he had made great ad- 
vance in his experiments, though he was begin- 
ning to feel that his work must be in vain. More 
and more he was feeling the need of the advice 
and instruction his father alone could give, and 
yet could not give under his present condition. 

After working unusually hard and feeling 
tired. Manly had jgone home earlier than com- 
mon one evening, and Curly had missed the op- 



With a low cry of terror Crush Curlew retreated. 

(Page 214) 













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FORGE AND FURNACE. 


211 


portunity to ask him the question which had 
arisen in his mind. It was a permission to sleep 
that night in the shop-. His parents had finally 
become so quarrelsome that he did not dare go 
home to stay. 

He had a key to the shop, and, believing his 
master wonld not object. Curly decided to sleep 
that night on the pile of old clothing in a corner 
of the room, intending to tell Manly in the 
morning of what he had done. 

As a tired schoolboy drops asleep as soon as 
his head touches the pillow, to live over again 
his sports in dreams. Curly quickly fell into a 
slumber, though his dreams were not of care- 
less sports, but of the tasks of the day. He 
thought he was in a big room surrounded by a 
crowd of graven images, and most prominent 
among them being his lifelike figures chipped 
out of korl. 

In the midst of his wild speculations a slight 
movement near the door awoke him, showing 
that he had slept lightly. Starting upon his el- 
bows Curly was listening intently in a moment. 


212 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


and while he lay there in silence he realized that 
some one was trying to force an entrance into 
the shop. 

Knowing that this could be done at that time 
of night and in that manner for no honest pur- 
pose, he began to wonder what he, alone and sin- 
gle-handed, should do. There was no other way 
of exit from the place, or he might have at- 
tempted to have gone for assistance. Should he 
call for help he knew his voice would be drowned 
by the incessant roar of the machinery. 

“It is the master’s models they are after!” 
he thought. “Oh, what shall I do?” 

At that moment the door was forced ajar sev- 
eral inches and in the aperture thus made ap- 
peared the bearded face of the nocturnal in- 
truder. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


tJUBLY^S MASTERPIECE. 

Fortunately Curly was lying directly behind 
the two images he had been engraving, which 
with other objects concealed him from the scru- 
tinizing gaze of the intruder, who paused a mo- 
ment before pushing his body through the open- 
ing. 

“I can see everything right ready for us to 
lay our hands on, pal,” said the man, and at 
the sound of his voice Curly gave a start and 
uttered a low exclamation which for a moment 
he felt had betrayed his presence. 

The cause of his sudden excitement was the 
discovery that the man breaking into the shop 
was his father ! 


214 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


There was no mistaking the ngly visage O'f 
Crush Curlew on closer examination. Who 
was with his parent he had no way of telling, 
nor how many. 

The sounds from the mills did not allow his 
exclamations to reach the ears of the would-be 
robber, who the next moment began to press his 
clumsy figure through the aperture growing 
larger all the while. The door had struck 
against a block of wood, or else it would have 
yielded easily now he had forced the lock. 

Curly was at his wit’s end to know what to 
do, when he saw the other suddenly stop, ex- 
claiming in a tone barely reaching his ears : 

“Git back, Jim! the boss is here!” 

Curly quickly knew his father had mistaken 
the graven figure he carved of the new boss for 
Irons himself. This gave him the happy thought 
of trying to carry out this deception, and, put- 
ting his hands against the lower part of the 
image, he began to move it slightly. 

With a low cry of terror Crush Curlew re- 
treated, closing the door with a slam. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


215 


With good presence of mind Curly darted 
forward and placed a bar of iron against the 
door so it could not be easily opened. Then he 
waited in anxiety to see what the other’s next 
move would be. 

He could hear the men carrying on a conver- 
sation, though he could not catch what they said. 

Then the bushy head of Crush Curlew ap- 
peared for a moment at the window, when Curly 
made a slight movement and it instantly dis- 
appeared. 

A few minutes after that he heard the sound 
of footsteps going away from the place, and, 
opening the door a trifle, he had the satisfaction 
of seeing the two men, for there was but that 
number, disappearing in the distance. 

Expecting the return of the robbers with in- 
creased numbers, and not daring to leave his 
post for fear they might return while he was 
gone, Curly passed the long hours until daylight 
with great anxiety. Never had he hailed the ap- 
pearance of Manly with so much joy, and at 
once he told of his experience, not withholding 


216 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the fact the leader of the robbers was his father. 

“You have done me a great service, Curly, 
and I appreciate it. I did not dream Whitcomb 
would resort to such measures to get possession 
of my secret. For, of course, he was at the 
bottom of the affair, as your father .could have 
no possible motive for doing it.” 

“What shall you do with father?” asked 
Curly, anxiously, as the reality of the situation 
flashed into his mind. 

“Nothing. Do not feel worried over that. I 
shall say nothing of it, and I do not want you to. 
It would do no good.” 

How well truth will acknowledge itself was 
illustrated that afternoon, when Sheriff Ydiit- 
comb, for the first time in several days, ad- 
dressed Manly, saying: 

“Shop got broken into last night, didn’t it?” 

“Have you heard any one say so?” 

In a moment the other saw his mistake, and, 
turning different colors, he managed to stam- 
mer out : 

“I— I overheard some of the workmen talking 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


217 


about it. Thought it was a pretty bold piece of 
business. Do you have any idea who did it U ’ 

“Oh, yes, I know very well who did it, and 
what is more, I know who hired them to do it, ’ ’ 
watching the sheriff closely as he spoke. 

“You look at me as if I was at the bottom of 
it!” exclaimed the officer, maintaining his self- 
possession with a great effort. “The fact is, I 
was miles from here. I went over to Lancaster 
yesterday afternoon. Saw Hildreth, and, what 
is more, heard a bit of unpleasant news about 
him. He is getting in deeper and deeper. It’s 
common talk about town they can ’t pull through. 
It’s going to be bad for us if they don’t.” 

Manly imagined the sheriff had taken this 
topic to turn the drift of the conversation, and 
not caring to say more to him he returned to his 
work. 

Those were anxious days to the young master 
of the iron mills. He did not allow himself to 
lose run of woi’k in the mills, but nearly all of 
his time he devoted to his experiments, but with- 
out any apparent solution of the great secret. 


218 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


I 


He could not help noticing that Irons was vis- 
iting the shop oftener than had been his practice 
at the outset. This man was an enigma to him. 
Always treating him deferentially, he still acted 
as if he was determined not a movement of his 
should escape him. Manly could not help ac- 
knowledging to himself that affairs at the mills 
had never run so smoothly as under his charge. 

David Hawke, if it were possible, was grow- 
ing more and more disagreeable. 

Curly was in all likelihood the happiest one of 
the party, for he was completely absorbed in his 
work. It is true he did not dare to go home to 
stop nights, but a sleeping place had been fixed 
up in the shop and there he remained. Manly 
sometimes staying with him, fearing that Whit- 
comb might make another attempt to have his 
men break in. For this reason the young master 
had been glad to consent to Curly’s sleeping in 
the room during the nights. 

Having left his first attempt unfinished, the 
young sculptor had begun on a new subject. 
This time it was a sweet, womanly face he was 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


219 


chiseling from the korl, and it required no close 
observer to see that he was taking more pains 
with it than he had with any other. Day by day, 
as the fair, angelic countenance grew under his 
magical touches into life-like beauty he became 
more intensely interested in his work, while 
Manly could see that it was becoming his best 
attempt. 

That Curly felt so, too, was evident, and com- 
ing suddenly upon him one day Manly found 
him with his arms about its neck, the tears 
streaming down his cheeks like rain. 

‘ ‘ Why,- Curly ! is it possible you are so much in 
love with this impersonation of life created by 
your skill? It is your masterpiece, and I pre- 
dict you will become a famous artist. I wish I 
could help you, and perhaps some time, when I 
get out of this snarl, if I do, I will. ’ ’ 

Curly started up at the appearance of his 
friend, and blushing like a schoolboy, he ex- 
claimed : 

‘ ‘ Please excuse me, master ; you are very kind. 


220 


I^ORGE AND FURNACE. 


She is all I have to love in the world. You’ll 
forgive me, master?” 

“Forgive? There is nothing to forgive. I 
am almost in love with it myself. But here 
comes Whitcomb, with just such a look on his 
face as he has when he finds he has got some new 
advantage to take of me.” 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


A NOTE FOR FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. 

Sheriff Whitcomb was feeling in excellent 
spirits. There was no mistaking that. His looks 
and manner showed it. As he approached the 
shop he cleared his mouth of the tobacco he had 
been working his jaws over for a good, long 
while, and clearing his throat he said : 

‘ ‘ Got a hit of a surprise for you, Mr. Sterling. 
I vow it was a surprise to myself. But there is 
no gainsaying it. It is genuine.” 

There he stopped, as if waiting for Manly to 
speak. But the young master did not humor 
him to that extent. He merely nodded and re- 
turned to his work. 

“Mighty indifferent!” muttered the sheriff. 


222 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


‘ ‘ But I guess you will put on another face when 
I tell you what it it. I have found a note run- 
ning to Matthew Grasp and signed by Henry 
Sterling and Leonard Grasp. I found it among 
some papers, where everybody else had over- 
looked it.” 

He displayed the note sheet as he spoke, 
watching closely Manly’s countenance. 

Our hero had heard so many such “surprises” 
from the other that he was loath to believe this 
was more than a dodge to give him extra un- 
easiness. 

“Let me take the note,” he said. 

But instead of handing it to him the sheriff 
held the note up so Manly could read it. 

“It is for five thousand dollars, and has been 
running for three years,” he volunteered. 

Manly had already seen this, and he had seen, 
moreover, that his father’s name stood out in 
his hold, clear hand, with the fine, trembling sig- 
nature of Leonard Grasp below. 

“I don’t understand that, Mr. Whitcomb. It 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


223 


cannot be possible father was owing Matthew 
Grasp more than the mortgage,” 

“It may seem hard for you to think so, but 
there is good, plain evidence. Of course, I am 
sorry as you, for it is another blow toward 
downing the company. This will have to be 
met. ’ ’ 

“There is some mistake — there must be!” 

“What is in black and white cannot be dis- 
puted, according to my figures. I must say you 
are the biggest mule I ever met. I hope you will 
get some satisfaction from your mistakes. Mis- 
takes, indeed! You are the biggest mistake I 
ever saw or ever want to.” 

With these heartless words the sheriff left. 

Already overworked and well-nigh discour- 
aged, Manly did not try to do anything more 
that day. If this new feature was true would 
there be any use for him to try and keep up 
longer? 

“My only hope now is to get off that lot of 
rails, ’ ’ he thought. ‘ ‘ It will be a glad, if brief, 
relief to see some money.” 


224 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Absorbed in his task Curly did not know of 
his friend’s new distress, nor was he aroused 
from his work until a hand was laid on his shoul- 
der, and he looked up to see with alarm Nathan 
Irons standing over him. 

Uttering a sharp cry of terror the boy sculp- 
tor jumped away from the place, and seemed 
about to flee, when the boss said : 

“Pardon me if I frightened you. Curly, but 
I did not realize what I was doing. Tell me, 
whom does that represent? 

The speaker showed an undue earnestness 
which seemed to Curly in his terrified state of 
mind like a terrible rebuke for some misde- 
meanor, so he stood looking dumbly upon him 
until he spoke again. 

“Is it some friend that you know? Tell me, 
boy !” and he caught the frightened youth by the 
arm. 

Poor Curly was more frightened than ever, 
but he managed to stammer : 

“Please forgive me, Mr. Irons, but it is no one 
that I know— I mean that I can name.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


225 


“ I do not understand you, Curly, ’ ’ and seeing 
that his abrupt words and manner had quite un- 
settled the poor boy, he spoke more gently. “I 
did not wish to frighten you. I have watched 
your work with more interest than you dreamed. 
You have got an excellent likeness of myself. 
Why did you make that?” 

“I felt so I must, sir.” 

“And why did you drop work on that and be- 
gin this ? ’ ’ 

“I could not help it, sir.” 

“Still you say it is only an ideal figure?” 

Perhaps Curly did not understand him, for he 
only continued to stare upon him in silence. 

“I mean it is not the image of any one you 
ever knew — ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Oh, I did know her, sir ! Why, I have known 
her all my life. ’ ’ 

“Then she lives here in Orecroft,” and there 
was a noticeable show of disappointment on his 
features. 

‘ ‘ Oh, no, sir ! Oh, what a mess I am making 


226 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


of it. Please forgive me, Mr. Irons. But do 
dreams ever come true?” 

“Sometimes, my boy; but this is no 'dream.” 

“It is. 0 sir, you won’t think me foolish? 
But that face is very dear to me. I don’t know 
where I first saw it or when, but it is the first 
thing I can remember, of seeing her looking 
down upon me. Why, sir, there is not a night I 
do not see it in the dark. She is always in my 
dreams, and she is ever first to meet my eyes in 
the morning. Why, only this morning she kissed 
me as I woke!” 

Curly was in a fever of excitement, and to 
any other he must have seemed crazy. 

“Calm yourself. Curly,” said Irons, gently. 
“Tell me when you first saw her.” 

“I cannot, sir, it was so long ago. It seems 
like a dream,” and then, as a new fear came into 
his heart, he asked, “Can it be after all but a 
dream?” 

“We will hope not,” said Irons, reassuringly. 
“But tell me all you know about her.” 

“I have told you all, sir. I seem to see her at 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


^27 


all times, but of course, sir, it is only my foolisli 
imagination. Mother has whipped me many 
times for my foolishness, hut I would always run 
away \vhen father tried to whip me, he is so 
rough. ’ ’ 

Nathan Irons had released his hold on the 
young sculptor and he was watching him closely, 
saying when the other had finished : 

“I don’t understand it! I don’t understand 
it ! Go on and finish your work. Make her look 
just as she looks in your dreams. ’ ’ 

“0 sir; I can’t make her half as beautiful as 
she is, sir. I thank you for your kindness.” 

“Sheriff Whitcomh wants to see you in a 
hurry, boss!” said a workman, thrusting his 
head into the door at that moment. 

Irons started quickly to answer the summons. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


THE LAST STRAW. 

The last movement of Whitcomb, that is, his 
presentation of the Grasp note, troubled Manly 
more than he was willing to acknowledge even 
to himself. Wlien he had told the circumstances 
to his mother she at once remembered that she 
had heard his father say such a note had been 
given, but it was her belief it had been paid. 

“Would father have paid it without taking 
up the note?” he asked. 

“The fact that the note remained with Mat- 
thew Grasp I must allow is proof positive that 
it has not been paid. But, Manly, I do not un- 
derstand how your father got into debt so. He 
always told me the mills were paying well.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


229 


“Father would not lie about it, mother, and 
last of all to yon. ’ ’ 

“No, my son, I have always had and have still 
nnbounded faith in his honesty. ’ ’ 

“You do not believe that he put any money 
into that invention?” 

“No.” 

“I do not. But, mother, I do not believe 
father got one dollar of all the money Leonard 
Grasp collected and borrowed, or got into his 
hands in any way. Leaving that part out, we 
can see that the mills paid, though I do not un- 
derstand why they should have been borrowing 
this five thousand dollars from Matthew— hold 
on, mother! If I remember that date right, it 
was given before tliey^ took up the mortgage. 
Would Matthew Grasp have let this note be 
when the mortgage included it?” 

“I cannot say. Manly, It may be they in- 
tended to pay it before a great while, and thus 
let it be as it was. ’ ’ 

“I am not sure about the date of the note, as 


230 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


I only glanced at that. I must somehow find 
that out.” 

Having little hope of succeeding with his ex- 
periments on welding, Manly felt that his only 
hope now lay in getting off the order for rails, 
on which he expected to realize so much, as soon 
as possible. His chagrin may therefore be im- 
agined when that day he found that Whitcomb 
had ordered work suspended in that direction 
and the workmen put on a small job he had 
brought in. 

The young master immediately sought the 
sheriff to ask him why he had done that, feeling 
that it was but one of the many trigs he had 
been putting under the wheels ever since he had 
managed to be felt in the management of the 
mills. 

“Why,” replied the sheriff, in pretended as- 
tonishment, ‘ ‘ it was the best that could be done. 
I couldn’t have got the order without doing it. 
A week or ten days won’t make any difference 
with the other.” 

“It can’t be possible that you have forgotten 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


231 


that I told yon those rails have got to be out by 
the fifteenth or we forfeit the sale, Mr. Whit- 
comb. Then, too, I am depending on the money 
to keep business moving. I have only enough 
to pay another week’s wages to the workmen. 
And it is no use to think of trying to run without 
prompt payment to your help. Besides it is a 
loss always to drop a job and begin on another, 
with the certainty that you must return to the 
first. ’ ’ 

‘‘I suppose you would have let this order go.” 

“Better that than to take the alternative you 
have, sir. We are not in such bad shape for 
work that we need to jeopardize our prospects 
on our big orders. ’ ’ 

“Mr. Irons is running the mills, young man, 
and I consulted him before taking the step. ’ ’ 

“Mr. Irons is running the mills, is he, sir? 
You and I have no voice in the matter at all ! 
Hawke, call the foreman here at once.” 

Manly’s eyes flashed as he spoke, and the 
others saw that he was in no mood to trifle with. 


232 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


To the wonder of them all Hawke quickly sum- 
moned the foreman. 

“Mr. Irons,” greeted Manly, “I want to 
know, according to your opinion, who is master 
of these mills, Mr. Whitcomb, yourself or me?” 

“I— really,” stammered the boss, “I have 
been getting most of my orders from Whitcomb, 
more, in fact, than I could carry out some- 
times.” 

“Was it your idea to shift from work on these 
rails to the order he gave you yesterday ? ’ ’ 

“Not exactly. Whitcomb told me to and I 
did. Perhaps I should have consulted you. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ This is infamous ! ’ ’ broke in the sheriff. ‘ ‘ I 
thought you had more back-bone than this. 
Irons.” 

“Sir, have I ever failed to carry out an order 
given me with the proper authority behind it?” 

“How long will it take you to finish those 
rails, Mr. Irons?” asked Manly. 

“Barring any bad luck, we can finish the last 
of them next Thursday noon.” 

“Good! Now, I want you to go ahead— drop 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


233 


all other orders— until the last rail has been 
turned out. ’ ’ 

Irons looked from Manly to the trembling 
sheriff, and then back to the young master, when 
he said : 

‘ ‘ It shall be done, Mr. Sterling. ’ ’ 

“If you are going to carry such a high hand 
as this, I shall be obliged to demand a settle- 
ment on that Grasp note, ’ ’ muttered Whitcomb, 
as he turned away. 

Paying no heed to this. Manly next wrote a 
letter to the concern expecting the rails, inform- 
ing them when they would be ready to ship. 

That day Manly made his last experiment, 
and, failing, resolved to waste not another 
hour ’s time upon it. 

“Father might have succeeded; I cannot.” 

That afternoon he was surprised and pleased 
by a visit from Hildreth, though he could see 
by the other’s looks before he had spoken that 
he was in sore straits. 

He listened to Manly’s account of affairs at 


234 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


the mills with something of his old time in- 
terest, saying at his conclusion; 

“You have made a good fight, Manly, but 
what the end will he I cannot tell. But I do 
think there is a crisis near at hand. I must con- 
fess that it has come with us. We have tried 
our best to keep our heads above water, but it 
has been useless. Do not be surprised if that 
claim of ours against you is crowded for pay- 
ment at once.” 

“If it doesn’t come before the last of next 
week I will be ready for it.” 

“I sincerely hope you can stave them off un- 
til then. You could if you had almost any other 
man to deal with than Whitcomb. ’ ’ 

Two days later, somewhat to Manly’s sur- 
prise, a man appeared at the mills who said he 
was the representative of the corporation which 
was expecting the rails. . 

“Thought it would be no harm to come on 
and see tjiem before you shipped. In case they 
are not CK, it will save lots of expense.” 

“But they are according to contract, sir.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


235 


‘ ‘ They will speak for themselves. ’ ’ 

Then, when the newcomer had examined the 
rails, Manly met the greatest surprise in his 
life. And it was expressed in three words. It 
sometimes happens the fewest words express 
the keenest agony. 

“They won’t do !” 

“You cannot mean it. As I said, they are ac- 
cording to contract.” 

“Not exactly, young man. I am as sorry to 
say so as you are to hear it, for we have de- 
pended upon them. Here is the agreement. 
You must have one like it.” 

The contract the man showed did not agree 
with that held by Manly, but there was a little 
clause at the foot which stated that it succeeded 
and toiok the place of all previous contracts. 

“As this would indicate, there was a contract 
drawn up and signed calling for lighter weight, 
but our folks afterward found they would be 
too light for their use, and so made a new trade 
with Sterling & Grasp. They readily agreed to 
it, as it was at an advanced figure. You will 


236 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


notice that my agreement guarantees more 
money than yours calls for.” 

“This is all the contract I have seen.” 

“I am sorry, but the rails are worthless to 
us.” 

Manly did not fail to hear a low chuckle of 
delight from Whitcomb at this declaration. 

It was the deathblow to Manly’s hopes. 
Upon this order he had hung all his hopes, and 
now he found even this prop torn down. 

“It is a most unfortunate mistake,” Nathan 
'Irons said. “If there was another contract, 
where can it be, Mr. Sterling?” 

“Ask him where his good wit is, and perhaps 
he can tell you, ’ ’ said the sheriff. 

“It is neither good policy nor good grace to 
kick a fellow who is down, Mr. Whitcomb,” de- 
clared Irons. “Shall I finish the order, Mr. 
Sterling? I don’t wish to interfere, but it would 
be my advice to go ahead.” 

“Go ahead, Mr. Irons. It will make little 
difference now.” 

The foreman was as good as his word in fin- 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


237 


ishing the railroad rails Thursday, and that 
day, at its close. Manly surprised every one by 
paying off the help and ordering the mills to 
be shut down for an indefinite period. 

“It may be for one week; it may be for al- 
ways,” he said in explanation. “I have paid 
out all of my money and have got to stop. ’ ’ 

Thus for the first time since they had been 
started up the Orecroft iron mills became 
closed. No longer did the thunder of its ma- 
chinery, the roar of its furnaces mingle with 
the constant tumult of the waterfall. 

Quietly and with more orderliness than might 
have been expected the workmen filed out of the 
dingy buildings to seek their enforced idleness. 

The hmn of the machinery had scarcely ceased 
before Sheriff Whitcomb had posted notices of 
an official sale of the whole property at the end 
of two weeks. 

“It will soon be mine now,” he murmured, as 
he turned away with a smile on his lips. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


MANLY VISITS KOLLIN STEELE, 

The first person to seek Manly, who left the 
mills as soon as he had closed them, was Nathan 
Irons. The foreman appeared more cordial 
than formerly. He did not feel disposed to he 
very free with this man, whose conduct he could 
not quite understand. At times he had seemed 
friendly toward him, but he had always been on 
good terms with the sheriff, and often consulted 
him in regard to what should he done. 

“Now that you have taken this very prudent 
step of yours to shut down work,” began Irons, 
“I feel anxious to know what your plans are, 
if I may be so bold as to inquire. I must con- 
fess that I am actuated somewhat from selfish 
motives, but for your sake I hope the suspension 
is not for a long time.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


239 


“ It is for an indefinite period, ’ ’ replied Man- 
ly. “How long depends on my success in the 
next step I must take. ’ ’ 

“And that?” 

“Is to look out for my own interest,” Manly 
replied, evasively, not liking the other’s inquis- 
itiveness. 

“I did not mean to offend. I think you have 
done what was for the best. Have you given up 
your experiments ? ’ ’ 

“For the present, though I may begin again 
as soon as I can.” 

“I would if I were you. I suppose you will 
bid the mills in when the auction takes place?” 

• “It looks like it, ’ ’ replied Manly with a laugh. 
“Why if gold dollars were selling at ten cents 
apiece I could not get rich buying them. I have 
put all the money I had in the business, and I 
can do no more.” 

“But you have some plan of action?” 

“Not developed yet. I shall not give up the 
fight yet, Mr. Irons, and my courage is good.” 


240 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“That is one-half the battle, but here comes 
Whitcomb, and I will he moving.” 

To Manly it seemed as if the sheriff had called 
on purpose to express his triumph in the turn 
of affairs. But the officer treated him with un- 
common respect and stayed but a few minutes, 
confining his remarks toward some mode of ad- 
justment of Manly’s account. 

“In spite of his apparent good nature,” said 
Manly, as soon as he was gone, “I cannot help 
thinking he came just to see how I was feeling. 
Well, I must confess it does look rather dark 
for me now.” 

“It is always darkest before dawn, my son. ’ ’ 

Manly and his mother talked late into the 
night over the situation, both finally agreeing 
that it would he best to see Mr. Steele as soon as 
convenient. 

“I want him to know just how the matters 
stand, and for him to hear my story, mother. 
I shall tell him just as it is. ’ ’ 

Manly did not fail to carry out his resolution 
to go to Greenwich in the morning, and by the 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


241 


middle of the forenoon he was entering the office 
of the great railroad magnate and banker. If 
he felt a shrinking from his unpleasant task he 
did not show it. 

Mr. Steele was not in his office, but a mes- 
senger soon brought him, when he greeted our 
hero cordially. 

“How goes it at Orecroft? I suppose by this 
time you have got everything to your liking. ’ ’ 

“Far from it, sir. Everything has seemed 
to go wrong. I am tied up at last,” coming 
bluntly to that part of his errand. 

“I don’t believe I understand you. Please 
explain.” 

“Is it possible you have not heard how af- 
fairs have gone at the mills ? Mr. Steele, I have 
betrayed your confidence. I have failed where 
you thought I would succeed, and I have come 
to warn you in the hope you may not lose your 
money. ’ ’ 

The banker’s manner became more stern as 
he said : 


242 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“You keep me in the dark. Please tell me 
how matters stand at Orecroft.” 

Then^ coming to the subject easier than he 
had expected, Manly told how Sheriff Whitcomb 
had been appointed administrator of the estate 
of Matthew Grasp, how he conducted himself 
in the management of the mills, how he had 
produced most unexpectedly the note for five 
thousand dollars, how the big order for rails, 
upon which he had staked his hopes, had been 
rejected, how he had paid off his help and closed 
the mills, and how Whitcomb had posted his 
notices for a sheriff’s sale of the property. 

He was glad when he had reached the end, 
some time before which the banker had arisen 
and begun to pace the floor. 

“Your frankness equals your audacity,” he 
declared, after a pause. “So your prospects 
look pretty dark. I am sorry for you. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But it is not for myself that I care so much ; 
it is for you— the money you let me have. I 
have come to tell you this, so you might get what 
you can out of the company.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


243 


“But I have no claim against Sterling & 
Grasp. I hold your individual note for ten 
thousand dollars, payable at the end of the 
year.” 

“But I used the money to pay up the com- 
pany’s debts and to run the business. Isn’t 
there some way you can secure yourself?” 

“I see none I care to follow. So it was for 
this you came to me ? It must have taken some 
moral courage to do it.” 

“I felt that it was my duty, sir.” 

“Let me see, that five thousand dollar note 
was something of a surprise to you ? ’ ’ 

“It was, sir. I cannot help thinking it has 
been paid.” 

“That will hardly count in court against the 
note. Now about those rails? Describe them 
to me.” 

When Manly had finished he said: 

“If I were you, I would see the corporation, 
though I have little idea they will take them. 
It seems to me singular your agreements should 
not agree.” 


244 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“So it does to me. Father was always very 
particular about such matters.” 

“It looks as' if he had met more than his match 
in young Grasp. But I have an engagement at 
this time. I thank you for coming to me, but 
you remember I was careful to warn you that 
I should not let you have another dollar, not 
even to save what I had, as it looks now, fool- 
ishly risked. ’ ’ 

“I have not come for more money, Mr. Steele, 
but I thought it no more than my duty to tell 
you just what has taken place, and how I tried 
to keep above the tide.” 

“Exactly. You seem to be surrounded by 
such a combination of circumstances as no or- 
dinary person could keep above. I can see now 
I made a mistake in letting you have the money. 
But I never cry over spilt milk. I have your 
witnessed note, good for twenty years, and I 
must wait my time, or rather yours, I suppose. 
As I said, I would see the Howlands about those 
rails at once. Let me know if there is anything 
new. Good day.” 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


245 


.At a loss to know whether he had met with 
a, disappointment or not in this visit to Rollin 
Steele, Manly left Greenwich for Orecroft on 
the next train. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


MANLY SEES LEONARD GRASP. 

When Manly got back to Orecroft he was sur- 
prised to find that Whitcomb had posted a sher- 
iff’s notice on the door to his father’s workshop. 
Finding upon inquiry that the officer was not 
in town, and knowing it was useless to speak to 
Hawke about it, he resolved to follow out the 
advice of Mr. Steele with as little loss of time 
as possible. 

Accordingly, as soon as he had informed his 
mother of the rather doubtful result of his visit 
to Greenwich, he took the train for his new 
destination, knowing he would be unable to re- 
turn before late the next day. 

This journey was uneventful and unproduc- 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


247 


tive of good, as far as his meeting with the 
Howlands was concerned. In fact, the great 
corporation, through its manager, felt like try- 
ing to get damages from him for not carrying 
out the agreement of Sterling & Grasp with 
them. 

“Why, it is thousands of dollars injury— pos- 
itive injury to us. For our use your rails are 
valueless. We had supposed Sterling & Grasp 
were reliable men. ’ ’ 

In vain Manly tried to explain, and, more 
disheartened than ever, he left the massive 
building which was the headquarters of the big 
railroad corporation. 

Finding it would be best for him to wait for 
the midnight express to start on his homeward 
journey. Manly did not go to the station until 
past ten o’clock, when he found only a few be- 
lated travelers about the place. 

These soon grew less in number, until a lit- 
tle past eleven he was left alone in the waiting- 
room. Feeling tired and sleepy, he stretched 
himself out on one of the settees for a little rest 


248 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


and it might be a nap before the train should 
come. 

He had been lying there half an hour and he 
was nearly asleep, when he heard footsteps ap- 
proaching. Glancing out from under his arm 
which he had laid over his head he saw two men 
entering the room. Expecting to see none but 
strangers there he did not move, and was re- 
lapsing into his semi-unconscious state when 
one of the newcomers spoke, and the tone of his 
voice instantly arrested Manly’s attention. 

The stranger’s companion made some reply, 
when Manly started at the sound of his voice. 

He was Sheriff Whitcomb ! 

Without having time to consider upon his ac- 
tion, Manly’s impulse was to lie perfectly still. 
And he did not have to wait long before he re- 
ceived a second surprise greater than the first. 

Whitcomb’s companion was Leonard Grasp! 

How he kept from betraying himself Manly 
could never quite tell, but fortunately he did 
remain perfectly quiet, listening for what the 
two men might say. 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


249 


As he was lying on a settee in the corner of 
the room, where he could not be plainly seen, 
it was doubtful if the speakers saw him at all. 
They certainly did not dream of finding him 
there. Grasp spoke next : 

“Is there any light, Clint? Is there any hope 
that I can go home to see mother? Oh, this is 
awful, Clint, and you drove me—” 

“Shut your mouth, you fool! I’ll hand you 
over to the police at once if you haven’t more 
manhood to you. It was an honest debt you 
owed me and you stole from Sterling—” 
“Hush! some one might hear you, Clint.” 
“But you didn’t think of that when you dared 
to accuse me of your ruin. But there is no one 
round, and we can speak lower. As I said the 
money you stole from Sterling, for it amounts 
to a robbery, was to pay the debt you had in- 
curred with me. If I had not had more heart 
than some I should not have come to listen to 
your pleadings. ’ ’ 

“I wanted to know how it was going at home 
—at Orecroft.” 


250 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“At home there is no change. Of course you 
have heard how your father—” 

“Please do not mention his name. How I 
pity poor mother— her husband an embezzler, 
her son—” here the unfortunate man buried 
his face in his hands as if he could say no more. 

Whitcomb went on in his cold, unfeeling tone : 

“At Orecroft the prospect is brighter. Your 
late partner has lost his reason and sits munch- 
ing around like a blind dog. The boy undertook 
to run the business and run it into the earth. 
There will be a sale next week under my direc- 
tions, and I expect to get the whole concern for 
a song. I have fixed it so the creditors will get 
about fifty cents on a dollar and they ought to 
feel mighty grateful to me. The boy scooped 
old man Steele for a cool ten thousand, but he 
won’t miss it.” 

“Don’t talk like that, Clint. Your words 
sound like mockery. I suppose when you have 
got matters fixed at Orecroft I can see mother 
and tell her I am not as bad as it looks.” 

“I don’t care what you tell her. You seem 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


251 


to be getting along here pretty well, tbongb I 
can’t say as you dress very well.” 

“It wouldn’t do, Clint. You see I pass here 
as a common laborer— yes, of the very lowest 
kind, for I work with the scum of the earth in 
the ditches and sewers. I never dreamed of 
coming to this. ’ ’ 

“Still you prefer it to the cell of a state 
prison?” 

“Hush! how you delight to say such things. 
Here is what I promised you for coming. Hark ! 
I thought I heard the car whistle. ’ ’ 

“You are nervous, Len,” replied the sheriff, 
taking the small package handed him. “The 
train isn’t due for fifteen minutes. You have 
the correct amount here?” 

“An even two hundred, Clint. I was willing 
to give that just to see one familiar face. So 
the boy undertook to run the business?” 

“Yes, with a high hand, but I soon crippled 
him. That note to your father did the busi- 
ness. ’ ’ 


“What note?” 


252 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“Wliy, that one for five thousand, and given 
before the mortgage.” 

“But it was paid, Clint. I—” 

“Looks like it! But here comes the station 
agent ; let ’s be moving. ’ ’ 

Without further words the twain went has- 
tily out of the station, leaving Manly in a maze 
of wonder. But, anxious that they should not 
escape him, he quickly gave pursuit. To his, 
disappointment, however, he could not find any 
trace of them outside the building. 


CHAPTER XXX. 


“you HAVE cohqueeed!’’ 

Vexed witli himself that he should have al- 
lowed the others to get away from him, Manly 
continued his search for them until the train 
came into the station. In the brief while he had 
found a policeman, to whom he told his story, 
and the latter had sent word to the police head- 
quarters of the necessity of prompt action. 

“There is my train,” said Manly, “and I 
must not miss it. ’ ’ 

“Go!” said the blue-coated official. “The 
man cannot escape us, and we’ll nab him before 
daylight, or my name ain’t Ted O’Bright.” 

Without stopping to reply. Manly ran hack 
to the station, getting there just in season to 
swing himself aboard the moving train. 


254 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


By the time the cars had got fairly started 
on the long trip Manly had recovered himself 
sufficiently to feel the chagrin which was natural 
under the circumstances that he had let Leonard 
Grasp escape him. But he had learned an im- 
portant secret, and his eyes had been opened 
to a truth of which he had not dreamed. While 
he had no actual proof of the fact, he was aware 
that Sheriff Whitcomb was at the bottom of 
the latter’s downfall as well as all the trouble 
at Orecroft. 

Anxious to know if Whitcomb was on the 
train, he went from car to car, until he found 
the object of his search complacently seated in 
the smoker. He was careful not to be seen by 
the other. 

“It will all come out right in the end,” he 
thought, “if I am careful how I act. At last I 
have a clue to the mystery.” 

His mother agreed with him that his long 
journey, while it had not been productive of any 
direct good, had given a result which must be 
a benefit in the end. It was hard for her to 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


255 


believe that Sheriff Whitcomb could be so de- 
void of honor as to act the part he had. 

“I am sorry for Leonard as well as the rest 
of us. He never seemed strong to resist a temp- 
tation. But I must speak of your father, Manly, 
for he has seemed so different since the mills 
were shut down. He has become so restless and 
excitable that I am almost afraid of him. The 
doctor was afraid he might grow more violent. 
I wish you would send for him to come to- 
morrow.” 

The next morning Manly went over to the 
mills at an early hour, to find only Hawke, the 
keeper, about the premises. 

Having been told that a notice had been 
posted on the door of the workshop, he was sur- 
prised to find none there then, and he entered 
the place at once. 

Curly came soon after, and then Mr. Ster- 
ling reached the place, to quietly enter and take 
his old seat, paying no attention to Manly or 
his companion. 

“Are you going to work to-day?” asked Cur- 


256 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


ly. “I wish you would, as I am anxious to 
finish my statue.” 

“I think I might as well, Curly. It will help 
to pass the time. Curly, you are outdoing your- 
self on that work. I never saw such a beautiful 
expression. ’ ’ 

“I am glad you like it, master. But I ought 
to do it better than the others, I have tried it 
so many times.” 

About ten o’clock Manly was surprised at his 
work by the appearance of Sheriff Whitcomb, 
who was fairly boiling over with rage. Open- 
ing his demand with an oath, he cried : 

“How dare you tear off that notice from that 
door, young man? I will make you smart for 
that.” 

“There was no notice—” 

“None of your impudence to me. Why, it is 
worse than breaking and entering, this getting 
here as you have. I can put you now where 
you belong.” 

Hawke stood near by grinning with great sat- 
isfaction. He had sent for his employer to 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


257 


come. But as Whitcomb went out of the shop 
he found himself face to face with Nathan Irons, 
who asked: 

“What was that I heard you say, Whit- 
comb?” 

“That I was going to put this youngster in 
state prison before night. ’ ’ 

“Not quite as soon as that, Mr. Whitcomb. 
I understand what your charge is against the 
boy, and I can testify that he is innocent. There 
was no notice on the door yesterday afternoon 
and he was out of town. ’ ’ 

“If any other man had told me that, Irons, 
I should tell him he lied.” 

“You can tell me so if you wish, but I advise 
you to let the boy alone here. He is on his own 
ground.” 

“So you are conniving with him!” 

“I connive with nobody here, sir, and if you 
open your mouth again I will put you out of 
here so quick your head will swim.” 

Irons showed that he was excited. 

“Of course I meant no offense to you. Irons, 


258 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


but if I can find out who pulled down that no- 
tice I will make him smart for it.” 

“Well, find him first, Whitcomb.” 

Without further words Whitcomb went away, 
followed by his confederate. 

“Your father tore off the notice,” said Irons, 
as soon as the others were beyond hearing, ‘ ‘ but 
I wouldn ’t tell him so much. ’ ’ 

“I am sorry—” 

“I wouldn’t be if I were in your place. Now, 
if I had a few days of comparative leisure, I 
would work on my experiments if I were you. 
Perhaps I can help you, as I have nothing to 
do.” 

Mr. Irons’ apparent friendship was so unex- 
pected that Manly could scarcely appreciate his 
kind words. But if the foreman did what he » 
could to assist our hero, his attention seemed 
more bound up in what Curly was doing. Ever 
and anon h^ would cross the room and admire 
the boy sculptor’s handiwork. 

The day passed without bringing any mes- 
sage from those whom Manly had expected 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


259 


would effect the arrest of Leonard Grasp. He 
felt that it would he useless for him to make 
any move against Whitcomb until his confed- 
erate had been captured. 

But as the days passed without bringing any 
tidings of the arrest of Leonard Grasp, Manly 
felt that the other had in some way been warned 
of his danger and fled. 

The auction sale of the mills was to take place 
on Thursday, and that morning before sun- 
rise Manly was at work in his shop. But it 
was not on account of the great sale to take 
place so soon and which so closely concerned 
him. It was a matter of even more vital im- 
portance. 

All the previous day he had seemed on the 
very eve of the greatest achievement of his life. 
At last his experiments were proving success- 
ful ! He felt it ! He knew it ! Irons, who was 
with him all the day, felt it— knew it ! Even his 
father must have felt it— known it! For the 
first time since he had failed in his mind Mr. 
Sterling showed signs of returning sanity. 


260 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


Several times he left his seat and looked on 
while the young inventor tested his work. 

As early as it was in the morning, Irons soon 
joined Manly at the shop, and his father came 
in, too. 

Then Curly, bringing an old sack filled with 
some bulky material, appeared on the scene. 

“Here is a whole bagful of papers I found 
buried under the corner of the upper mill last 
evening. Manly. Some of them are covered 
with figures, and they look to me of value.” 

But unheeding Curly’s words Manly and 
his companions went on with their experiments. 
All the morning they worked, never thinking of 
anything else, not even of their breakfast. 

“You have almost got it. Manly,” said Irons 
at last. 

Manly’s father was showing great excitement, 
and at that moment he joined in the exciting, 
anxious work. 

Then, their brows reeking with perspiration, 
their hands and clothes covered with dust and 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


261 


dirt, they paused for another test. No sooner 
was it made than Nathan Irons cried : 

“Eureka! you have conquered, Manly Ster- 
ling ! The victory is yours. ’ ’ 

So great was the excitement of his compan- 
ions that Curly lost interest in his carving and 
came over and joined them. 

“ It is holding ! ’ ’ cried Manly. “ It is the hest 
yet!” 

“The best!” said Irons. “It can be no bet- 
ter ! Look here. Manly Sterling. I am author- 
ized to give you fifty thousand dollars for a 
quarter interest in the patent. That will enable 
you to hold the mills— Jove! We are none too 
soon. See. The crowd has come— the sale is 
begun ! ’ ’ 

“What is going on!” asked Manly, so bewil- 
dered for a moment over his wonderful success 
that he could see nothing clearly, think of noth- 
ing plainly. 

“It’s the auction!” replied Irons. “Hark! 
Hear the auctioneer’s voice. Some one has hid 


262 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


forty thousand dollars. It is Whitcomb ! Quick ! 
Outbid him.” 

Nathan Irons had never before shown such 
excitement, and even Manly felt thrilled by the 
situation as he dashed out of the shop and 
crowded his way through the big throng which 
had gathered about the mills. 

“Forty thousand dollars bid by Mr. Whit- 
comb!” cried the voluble auctioneer. “Who 
speaks next? All in? Going— going— go— ” 

“I bid fifty thousand dollars!” fairly shouted 
Manly. 

For a moment silence fell on the scene, and 
then the loud voice of Whitcomb cried : 

“It’s only a boy bidding, Minot. He’s a 
minor, and his bid cannot count. Knock it off 
tome!” 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


“excitement enough for a dozen auctions!” 

As Sheriff Whitcomb made his excited speech 
the auctioneer suddenly checked his flow of lan- 
guage and a silence fell on the scene. 

“Go on!” hissed the sheriff; “don’t mind 
him! He’s a minor, and has no business to bid. 
My bid stands until another is made. ’ ’ 

“Don’t let him bluff you,” whispered Irons, 
and at that moment, unnoticed by them, Rollin 
Steele drove upon the scene. 

Manly needed no urging to stand firm, and 
he said in a clear, ringing voice : 

“I repeat my bid, auctioneer; fifty thousand 
dollars!” 

“He’s a minor, and disqualified from bid- 


264 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


ding!” shrieked Whitcomb; “and besides he 
hasn’t a dollar in the world.” 

“Fool!” retorted Nathan Irons, sharply, “he 
has a hundred thousand dollars in the bank to 
his credit, and if that is not sufficient he can have 
twice that amount.” 

“Ay, five times that!” fairly shouted Rollin 
Steele, the big hanker, getting as excited as any 
of them. 

The confused auctioneer looked helplessly 
from one to another, until Manly again hid : 

“Fifty thousand dollars.” 

“Fifty thousand is the bid. Who says more? 
Going— going— fifty thousand dollars for Ore- 
croft iron mills, going— ’ ’ 

“Fifty-one!” cried the exasperated sheriff. 
“This is infamous!” wiping his face and trem- 
bling from head to feet. 

“Fifty-two,” said Manly, quickly. 

“One dollar!” fairly yelled Whitcomb. “I 
shall dispute such bids as those made by that 
youngster.” 

Men were getting excited and began to move 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


265 


to and fro regardless of where they stopped or 
how. Mr. Steele had arisen in his carriage so 
he commanded a view of the whole exciting 
tableau. 

“Away with such paltry bids!” he cried. 
“Bid again, Manly Sterling, if it must he, hut 
no bid for a dollar can be accepted on such a 
sale as this. Never heard of such a thing.” 

“Fifty-two thousand am I offered. Who 
says the three? Who says the five hundred? 
^Vlio says the half? Who says the quarter? 
Going— going— gone! Sold to Manly Sterling 
for—” 

“I denounce it as a bogus sale!” cried Whit- 
comb. ‘ ‘ I bid more than this — ’ ’ 

“If you please, Clinton Whitcomb, you will 
come with us,” said a voice at his elbow, while 
a heavy hand was laid on his shoulder. 

The sheriff turned to find to his utter amaze- 
ment a couple of blue-coated officials standing 
beside him. 

“What does this mean?” he gasped, turning 


266 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


pale, as if he anticipated the meaning only too 
well. 

“You are our prisoner, sir. Will you come 
peacefully, or shall we be obliged to put the 
handcuffs on you?” 

“Never, sir!” throwing out his arms and 
sending the speaker headlong upon the ground. 
“I have played that game too many times my- 
self to he caught now. ’ ’ 

But the terrified sheriff reckoned without a 
full realization of his situation. If he thought 
to break through that crowd and get away he 
soon found his mistake. The second officer was 
quick to act, and he had not taken two steps be- 
fore he found himself in a clutch he could not 
shake off. He fared the worse for his resist- 
ance. 

While this was going on Manly had been 
handed a telegram, which held the key to the 
situation. 

Leonard Grasp had been captured, and con- 
fessing to his crimes had implicated Sheriff 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


267 


Whitcomb, so that the latter would be arrested 
at the first opportunity. 

Nathan Irons read the dispatch over our he- 
ro ’s shoulder, and he said : 

‘ ‘ That is good news. But I did not know any 
one knew where the rascal was keeping himself. 
How in the world did you find it out. Manly?” 

“I saw him in conversation with Whitcomb 
when I went on to see about those rails.” 

‘ ‘ But you said nothing of it. ’ ’ 

“Why should I? I had no one I dared turn 
to.” 

“Very true, very true. But the time has 
come when I can offer an explanation of my con- 
duct. Here, Rollin!” he suddenly exclaimed, 
beckoning to the big banker, “it looks so the' 
boy had >Come out of it with flying colors. ’ ’ 

“And I am glad of it. Give me your hand. 
Manly Sterling. I like you for the enemies you 
have made. Accept my congratulations.” 

Somewhat bewildered by the strange course 
affairs had taken. Manly was scarcely able to 
reply. 


268 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“Excuse me,” broke in the auctioneer at this 
moment, “but when and where do you wish to 
have the papers made out, Mr. Sterling!” 

“As well right here in his own office as any- 
where,” replied Mr. Steele, before Manly could 
reply. “I am behind him in this, if he needs 
any help, which I rather doubt. ’ ’ 

“He can look out for himself,” said Irons. 
“He has perfected his invention, and I have of- 
fered him what you told me for a quarter in- 
terest. ’ ’ 

“That is the best news I have heard yet. 
Don’t get impatient, Minot. You see we all feel 
so well that we can’t think of business.” 

“Take your time, gentlemen. There seems 
to be excitement enough for a dozen auctions, 
and that is what I like. What has Whitcomb 
done that he should fall a victim to his own 
methods of warfare, gentlemen!” 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


CLEARING UP. 

As Mr. Minot, the auctioneer, had said, there 
was excitement enough for a dozen auctions, 
and Manly felt dazed and bewildered as he went 
with his friends into the private office of Ster- 
ling & Grasp. He was beginning to realize that 
he had friends where he had not looked for 
them. A goodly number of the workmen of 
Orecroft mills had gathered about the mills at 
the time of the sale with gloomy looks upon their 
grimy visages, but a sudden change had come 
over every countenance. Though they did not 
know just what had taken place every man 
knew his young master had triumphed, and 
shouts of joy rent the air. 


270 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


Sheriff Whitcomb hearing these and think- 
ing they were directed toward him in his down- 
fall, gave expression to bitter speeches, as he 
was borne away a prisoner. In spite of his 
bold scheming he had failed at last and the hon- 
est youth had won his victory. 

“The men feel well,” said Mr. Steele, as the 
cries of the workmen rang on the air. “I think 
you have their sympathy. Manly.” 

“He has had it all the time,” spoke up honest 
John Fulton, “for he has stood up by them 
through thick and thin.” 

“He has had the hearty sympathy of every 
honest man,” declared Nathan Irons, “but he 
has been put to a severe test.” 

“I don’t doubt it, Charles, I don’t doubt it, 
but it will do him no harm. It is like tempering 
steel to be tried in the furnace, and he has come 
out better for the ordeal. He has gained many 
hearty supporters by it. ’ ’ 

Before any one could reply Henry Sterling 
pushed his way through the crowd and stood 
in the doorway, gazing over the throng with a 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


271 


peculiar light in his eyes. Then, for the first 
time since his singular loss of reason, he mur- 
mured : 

“It is lifting, Manly, the cloud is lifting.” 

“So it is lifting, father ! ’ ’ cried Manly, rush- 
ing forward and throwing his arms about his 
neck. “It has lifted, father! We are free! 
Your invention is a success, and Orecroft iron 
mills are saved.” 

It was a touching scene and there was not a 
dry eye among those strong men. 

“You say he has succeeded in the process of 
welding, and you think it is a good thing, 
Charles?” asked Mr. Steele, giving Nathan 
Irons this name for the second time. 

“A good thing? It is going to revolutionize 
the iron business. I have done as you told the 
minute there was a prospect of success, offered 
him fifty thousand dollars for a quarter in- 
terest.” 

“You did right, but it is time for us to explain, 
or he will not know how to take us. You can 
explain the part you have acted first.” 


272 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


“That is easier said than done. But I want 
to say, Manly Sterling, that I am an impostor 
here ! But if so, I have done my part for your 
good. As soon as Mr. Steele, my brother-in- 
law, took an interest in your work here he sent 
me, in the disguise of a workman, to investigate 
the situation. If everything proved as you said, 
to assist you in whatever way I thought best, 
but not to let you know until the end that he 
was behind me. If Whitcomb was in the right 
r was to act accordingly. If I have appeared 
friendly to him it was because I considered it 
best in order to accomplish my object. My right 
name is Charles Grantham, and if I have dis- 
pleased you in any way I ask your forgiveness. ’ ’ 

“I see it all now,” said Manly, frankly. “You 
have been my friend through it all, and I wish 
to thank you for it.” 

“I have less to explain,” said Mr. Steele, 
“but I confess that you won my confidence on 
the day you stood up so nobly for one of my 
poor old horses. I have always said that the 
person who would stand by a dumb creature in 


FOKGE AND FURNACE. 


273 


distress would prove faithful to any trust. But 
I must also say that my little daughter spoke 
such a good word for you that I could not re- 
sist helping you. You lost nothing by coming 
to me in your darkest hour in the way you did, 
but I could not then give you encouragement, 
as I had not heard from Charles. But I assure 
you, we have been busy since. 

“I can see now that Whitcomb has been plan- 
ning to get possession of the mills from the first, 
or ever since Leonard Grasp disappeared. If 
they should catch him he would throw some 
strange light on the situation.” 

“He has been captured,” said Manly, hand- 
ing the telegram to Mr. Steele, when for the 
first time the others learned the real cause of 
Sheriff Whitcomb’s arrest. 

“So you found him, my boy! Well, well, it 
is a proud day for you. But it is proving as I 
expected. Leonard Grasp was the tool of this 
unprincipled Whitcomb.” 

‘ ‘ Here are the papers to be signed conferring 


274 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


the mills on young Sterling,” said Mr. Minot. 
“I suppose he has the money ready?” 

“I don’t know about this,” replied Manly. 
“Of course all I wish to do is to keep the mills 
in the hands of their present owners. I am 
only a minor anyway.” 

“I think the property will pass into the hands 
of the Sterlings,” said Mr. Steele, “and I sup- 
pose there are two or three ways to do it. All 
that the outsiders wish and can get is their just 
dues. If those were paid the mills would be- 
long just where they have been until further 
settlement could be made. As I am the one who 
took up the Matthew Grasp mortgage, that mat- 
ter need not trouble you at all. Whitcomb tried 
to get that into his hands, but I would not sell 
to him without having first arranged it so the 
property could be bought in. How is it about 
that last note. Manly?” 

“That is still a mystery to me, but Curly has 
found a lot of old papers which I am sure Leon- 
ard Grasp had concealed, and which may ex- 
plain it all.” 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 


IN WHICH THE MEANS ARE IN HARMONY WITH THE 
ENDS. 

The papers Curly had found and rescued 
from destruction did explain more than the 
most sanguine had dared to expect. They 
proved to be, in part, the accounts of Sterling 
& Grasp, showing the alterations and manipu- 
lations of Leonard Grasp. There were private 
papers of the firm, too, among them being the 
order which was intended to govern the mak- 
ing of the rails, over which there had been a 
disagreement. 

A receipt was also found for the five thou- 
sand dollars represented by the note in favor 
of Matthew Grasp, which Whitcomb had used 


276 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


with such troublesome results. By this it was 
learned that the note had been lost, or mislaid, 
so it could not be found. 

There were other papers and documents be- 
longing to Leonard Grasp, showing conclusively 
his crimes— how he had used the name of the 
company to borrow money to put in his own 
pocket. It was discovered, too, that Whitcomb 
had got him into his clutches by loaning him 
money to pay gambling debts, and that Grasp 
expected to pay him off with the funds stolen 
from the company. 

Though these papers were hardly needed 
now, as Leonard Grasp had confessed all, they 
were carefully saved. 

“It is all plain now,” said Mr. Steele, “and 
I see; no obstacle in your way. You ought to be 
happy.” 

“I am, sir, and the happiest part of it is the 
hope that father is becoming himself. Dr. Wise 
has come, and he is surprised at the change, 
though he says it is what he had expected. I 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


277 


honestly think the shutting down of the mills 
had a good effect. ’ ’ 

“So it did, but your successful experiments 
on that welding was the real cure. He seemed 
to know as well as you that it was going to be 
a success.” 

“I know it, and better, for even now I cannot 
realize that it is true. ’ ’ 

“It is all plain sailing,” declared John Ful- 
ton, who had enjoyed the scene as well as any 
one. “And Manly Sterling deserves all the 
credit.” 

“Nay, my dear friend, I do not forget those 
who have stood by me so faithfully. Without 
their aid I could not have won. But where is 
Curly? I want him to enjoy this.” 

“He is down in the shop, where Charles has 
gone,” said Mr. Steele. “Hilloa! here comes 
my sister and wife and little girl! What does 
it mean?” 

“And mother is coming, too, and father is 
leaning on her arm, ” said Manly. 

Before more could be said of him whom we 


278 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


have known as Nathan Irons, but whose true 
name was Charles Grantham, he approached, 
leading Curly by the hand, the young sculptor 
crying like a child, but they were tears of joy. 

“Look here, friends!” cried Mr. Grantham, 
who showed he was laboring under great ex- 
citement, “don’t think you are all the ones who 
are happy. This is the happiest moment of my 
life. Rollin, Mary and I have found at last our 
long-lost boy! I felt sure of it yesterday, but I 
sent for her without saying a word to any one 
for fear I might be wrong. And you can’t guess 
how I recognized him. It was through his 
carving a perfect image of his mother. You 
can’t tell how anxiously I have watched his 
work, and when I found that he was making it 
from the dim memory he had of one he had seen 
years ago, when he was little more than a baby, 
I knew I was on the right track.” 

And so it proved. Curly— but Curly no more 
— had been restored to his rightful parents, 
while he felt a joy too great for utterance. It 
seemed he had been stolen from his home when 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


279 


small and afterward left with the Curlews, to 
be reared as their child. Now, his own genius 
had helped to find those who had so long 
mourned him as dead. 

Truly it was a happy day for all, and con- 
gratulations were in order on every hand. In 
the afternoon Mr. Hildreth came to Orecroft, 
and finding that Manly had come out of his or- 
deal so well he rejoiced with him. 

In the great joy of the occasion plenty of as- 
sistance was promised him by which to get over 
his financial embarrassment. 

Now that I have seen my hero through his 
trying scenes I suppose my task is nearly over, 
though I must linger long enough to picture a 
brighter scene than it has been my opportunity 
to do so far. 

The scene I would portray this time is one of 
bustle and activity. Once more the sullen thun- 
der and the roar of Orecroft iron mills drown 
even the din of the rushing water, and every- 
where is life and bustle and work and pros- 
perity. Henry Sterling & Son are now sole 


280 


FORGE AND FURNACE. 


owners of the property and it is paying better 
than ever, for there is no drawback in its man- 
agement. John Fulton and Kent Knerl have 
got their old positions. 

The rails that were made for the big corpo- 
ration were taken by Mr. Steele, who doubled 
the order. 

But the success of the iron mills was second- 
ary compared to that of the system of welding 
put out by the Sterlings, a system which com- 
pletely revolutionized the iron business. That 
alone would make them millionaires, and if you 
have any doubt look up the history of the Cort 
method of preparing, welding and working iron, 
of which I have given you the particulars of its 
invention. 

Mr. Sterling soon appeared perfectly sane and 
has never given any indication of a lapse from 
his normal state. Overwork and worry result- 
ing from suspicion that his partner was going 
wrong no doubt was the cause of his loss of 
mind. 

Leonard Grasp made restitution as far as he 


FOEGE AND FURNACE. 


281 


could, and got off with, a lighter sentence than 
Whitconab, who was more to blame than he. 
The note for five thousand dollars had been in- 
cluded in the mortgage held by Matthew Grasp. 

Last, but not least, he whom we have known 
as “Curly” has prospered, and is to-day a fa- 
mous sculptor, whose name is known in two 
continents. But the treasure that he prizes 
highest, and which his now aged parents would 
not lose for any compensation, is the image cut 
from korl when he was a boy in the midst of 
his troubles at the iron mills. 

Oh, I must not close without speaking of her 
who was Bertie Steele, and tell you that she 
says she has the happiest home in the wide 
world at Orecroft. With whom? Cannot you 
guess? There we must leave them. 


THE END. 







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